1.

2 Negative Numbers
You can add, subtract, multiply and divide with negative numbers too, but there are few things
that might catch you out if you’re not careful. Be sure to keep track of all those minus signs...

Adding and Subtracting Negative Numbers

Learning Objective — Spec Ref N2:
Add and subtract negative numbers.

Negative numbers are numbers which are less than zero.

You can count places on a number line to help with calculations involving negative numbers.

Example 1

Work out: a) –1 + 4 b) –2 – 3 + 1 Tip: If you find it

useful, draw your own
–2 – 3 + 1 –1 + 4 number line when
answering negative
number questions.
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

a) Start at –1 and count 4 places to the right. –1 + 4 = 3

b) Start at –2, count 3 places to the left, –2 – 3 + 1 = –4
and then 1 place to the right.

Exercise 1
Q1 Work out the following.
a) –4 + 3 b) –1 + 5 c) –2 + 1
d) 6 – 17 e) –13 + 18 f) 11 – 19

Q2 Work out the following.

a) –3 + 2 – 1 b) –2 + 8 – 5 c) 8 – 5 – 3
d) –1 – 7 – 4 e) –9 + 13 + 11 f) 7 – 18 + 11

Q3 Copy the following calculations and fill in the blanks to make the equations correct.
a) –3 + = –1 b) 5 – = –10 c) +7=4 d) – 2 = –6

4 Section 1 Non-Calculator Arithmetic