Add and Subtract Integers

Learning Objective: We will add and

subtract positive and negative integers.

By Mr. Sarwat Almarwani

 What do we already know?
• Positive integers are on the right side of zero. 4

• Negative integers are on the left side of zero. -4

• This means that they are opposites. -3 + 3 = 0

Negative Positive
 You know how to plot an expression on the number
line and find the sum.

5 + -2 = 3

Step 1: Plot the first integer on the

number line.
Step 2: Plot the second integer on the
number line beginning where the last
-2
number left off.

5
 You know how to plot an expression on the number line
and find the difference.

5 + -2= 3

Step 1: Plot the first integer on the

number line.
Step 2: Plot the second integer on the
number line beginning where the last -2
number left off.

5
You know how to plot an expression on the number line
and find each sum.

Step 1: Plot the first integer on the

-3 + -1 = - 4 number line.
Step 2: Plot the second integer on the
number line beginning where the last
number left off.

-1 -3
 You already learned that
subtracting a negative integer
gives the same solution as adding
its opposite.
 Vocabulary
• Define integers: a positive or negative number.

• Define a positive integer: whole numbers to the

left of zero.

• Define a negative integer: whole numbers to the

right of zero.

negative positive
 Vocabulary
Define absolute value: the distance
from zero.

Plot each of the integers below on a

number line and then tell the absolute value of each.
-1 (1) 2 (2) -5 (5)

-1

-5
2
 You already learned that
subtracting a negative integer
gives the same solution as adding
its opposite.

To help predict whether the sum

of two integers will be positive or
negative, you can use these rules.
 1st Variation
Is the sum of 2 and 7 positive or negative?
Rule: The sum of two positive integers is positive.

Step 1: Change the expression to an

2+7=
9
addition by using the absolute value.
Step 2: Plot the first integer on the
number line.
Step 3: Plot the second integer on the
number line beginning where the last
number left off.
2 7

Solution: The sum of 2 and 7 is positive.

 2nd Variation
Is the sum of -2 and -7 positive or negative?
Rule: the sum of two negative integers is negative.

Step 1: Change the expression to an

-2 + -7=
-9 addition by using the absolute value.
Step 2: Plot the first integer on the
number line.
Step 3: Plot the second integer on the
number line beginning where the last
number left off.
-7 -2

Solution: The sum of -2 and -7 is negative.

 3rd Variation
Is the sum of -2 and 7 positive or negative?

Rule: the sum of a positive integer and a negative

integer will have the same sign as the integer with Step 1: Change the
the greater absolute value. expression to an addition
by using the absolute
-2 + 7= 5 value.
Step 2: Plot the first
integer on the number
line.
7 Step 3: Plot the second
integer on the number line
-2 beginning where the last
number left off.

Solution: The sum of -2 and 7 is positive.

 Why is this important?
If the temperature was 10 ｰ F at lunch time and
dropped to -5 ｰ F in the evening. What is the
difference between these temperatures?

10 - -5= 15 degrees

Mauricio were at the corner store. Mauricio forgot

his money and needs $10 to pay for his treats. If
Omar let Mauricio borrow $10, Mauricio now has
$10.
- $10 + $10 = 0