How to Add and Subtract Integers

Integers are whole numbers and their opposites and zero. Here you can learn how to add and subtract integers.

Related Topics

• How to Multiply and Divide Integers
• How to Order Integers and Numbers
• How to Use Order of Operations
• How to Solve Integers and Absolute Value Problems

Step by step guide to add and subtract integers

• Integers include: zero, counting numbers, and the negative of the counting numbers. \(\{… , – \ 3, – \ 2, – \ 1, 0, 1, 2, 3 , …\} \)
• Add a positive integer by moving to the right on the number line.
• Add a negative integer by moving to the left on the number line.
• Subtract an integer by adding its opposite.

Adding and Subtracting Integers – Example 1:

Solve. \( (- \ 2) \ – \ (- \ 6)=\)

Solution:

Keep the first number, and convert the sign of the second number to it’s opposite. (change subtraction into addition). Then: \((- \ 2) \ \color{blue}{+} \ 6=4\)

Adding and Subtracting Integers – Example 2:

Solve. \( 8 \ + \ (12 \ – \ 20)=\)

Solution:

First subtract the numbers in brackets, \(12 \ – \ 20= \ – \ 8\)
Then: \(8 \ + \ (- \ 8)= \ → \) change addition into subtraction: \(8 \ \color{blue}{-} \ 8=0\)

Adding and Subtracting Integers – Example 3:

Solve. \((-8)-(-5)=\)

Solution:

Keep the first number and convert the sign of the second number to its opposite. (change subtraction into addition). Then: \((-8) \color{blue}{+} 5= \ -3\)

Adding and Subtracting Integers – Example 4:

Solve. \(10+(4-8)=\)

Solution:

First subtract the numbers in brackets, \(4-8= \ -4\)
Then: \(10+(-4)= →\) change addition into subtraction: \(10 \color{blue}{-} 4=6\)

Exercises for Adding and Subtracting Integers –

Find the sum and the difference.

1. \(\color{blue}{(– 12) + (– 4)}\)
2. \(\color{blue}{5 + (– 24)}\)
3. \(\color{blue}{4 + (– 30) + (45 – 34)}\)
4. \(\color{blue}{( – 14) – (– 9) – (18)}\)
5. \(\color{blue}{( – 9) – (– 25)}\)
6. \(\color{blue}{(55) – (– 5) + (– 4)}\)

Download Adding and Subtracting Integers Worksheet

1. \(\color{blue}{-16}\)
2. \(\color{blue}{-19}\)
3. \(\color{blue}{-15}\)
4. \(\color{blue}{-23}\)
5. \(\color{blue}{16}\)
6. \(\color{blue}{56}\)