Using Number Lines to Subtract Integers

To subtract an integer on a number line, add its opposite: move right for subtracting a negative, left for subtracting a positive. Turning every subtraction into an addition is what keeps the direction straight.

• To add positive integers, move towards the right on a number line.
• To add negative integers, move towards the left on a number line.
• To subtract integers, add their opposites.

1. Start at the first number (the minuend) and move to the left for each unit of the second number (the subtrahend). For example, if you’re subtracting -3 from 4, start at 4 and move 3 units to the left.
2. Label the endpoint of the distance you traveled with the difference. So in the example above, the difference would be labeled as 1.
3. Write the difference as the solution to the subtraction problem. In this case, the solution would be 4, (-3) = 1.

Using Number Lines to Subtract Integers, Example 1

Using Number Lines to Subtract Integers, Example 2

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