READING MATERIAL
Read About Adding & Subtracting with
Negative Numbers
HOW DO YOU ADD & SUBTRACT NEGATIVE NUMBERS?
You have seen how to use a number line to represent negative numbers. In this lesson,
you learn how to use the number line to show addition and subtraction of negative
numbers.
To better understand adding & subtracting negative numbers…
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
You can use a quick rule to help you add and subtract
integers.
There is one rule we can use when
we add and subtract integers: When
we see 2 signs next to each other, we
can flip both of them to make a
simpler problem with the same
answer. For example, –7 + (–5) is the
same as –7 – (+5) which is the same
as –7 – 5. –7 – 5 = –12. This rule takes
problems where you see 2 signs next
to each other and lets you show 1 operation instead. When using this rule, the remaining one
operation tells you which way to move on the number line: to add, move to the right; to subtract,
move to the left. Try this one yourself. Use the rule to find 5 + (–4).
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Use the rule to add a negative number.
Here’s another example: 7 + (–10). An
equivalent way to write this problem
is 7 – (+10), which is the same as 7 –
10. On a number line, you can start at
7 and then subtract 10 by moving 10
units to the left. The number you land
on is –3. 7 + (–10) = –3. When
subtracting in problems like these it’s
important to think about which side
of zero you end up on. If you end up to the left of 0, the answer is negative. If you end up to the
right of zero, it’s positive. Try this one yourself. Find 8 + (–9).
Use the rule to subtract a negative number.
Suppose you need to solve the
problem 7 – (–5). In this problem,
there are two negative signs next to
each other. When you use the rule,
you can write this problem as 7 +
(+5) or 7 + 5. Then the problem
involves adding two positive
numbers: 7 + 5 = 12. On a number line,
start 7 units to the right of 0 and then
move 5 units to the right. Here’s another problem: – 7 – (–5). Flip the two negative signs that are
next to each other to get –7 + (+5), which is the same as –7 + 5. Move to –7 on the number line
and then move 5 units in the positive direction. Land on –2. Always remember, the left and right
rules only work when the second number is positive. Try this one yourself. Find 3 – (–4).
Add and subtract integers to solve real-world problems.
You are a scuba diver starting at sea
level, which we call zero. You dive
down 8 meters, and then another 4
meters. How deep are you? You can
represent the problem as –8 – 4. On
the number line, that would be 8 to
the left and then another 4 to the
left. You land on –12. You are at a
depth of –12 meters. Next, you are
going hiking. You start 8 meters above sea level and end the hike in a valley, at 2 meters below
sea level. What is the difference in elevation between the start and end of the hike? You need to
find 8 – (–2). Use the rule to find that this is the same as 8 + 2, which is 10. Your elevation changed
by 10 meters. Try this one yourself. You are going hiking. You start 4 meters below sea level and
end the hike at 8 meters above sea level. What is the difference in elevation between the start
and end of the hike?
ADD & SUBTRACT WITH NEGATIVE NUMBERS VOCABULARY
Negative numbers The numbers to the left of 0 on a number line.
Positive numbers The numbers to the right of 0 on a number line.
Number line A line on which numbers are marked in order and at equal intervals.
Integers Zero, all the whole numbers, and their opposites.
Sign Identifies a number as positive or negative.
Operation The four operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
ADD & SUBTRACT WITH NEGATIVE NUMBERS DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
Give students the problem 5 + 7 and have them show the solution on the
number line.
A number line shows that the solution to 5 + 7 is 12. Start at 5 and jump 7 units to the right, to 12.
Give students the problem –5 + (–8) and have them show the solution on the
number line.
A number line shows that the solution to –5 + (–8) is –13. Start at –5 and jump 8 units to the left, to
–13.
Give students the problem +3 – 7 and have them show the solution on the
number line.
A number line shows that the solution to +3 – 7 is –4. Start at 3 and jump 7 units to the left, to –4.
Give students the problem –4 + (–3) and have them show the solution on the
number line.
A number line shows that the solution to –4 + (–3) is –7. Start at –4 and jump 3 units to the left, to
–7.
Give students the problem 4 – (–5) and have them show the solution on the
number line.
A number line shows that the solution to 4 – (–5) is 9. Start at 4 and jump 5 units to the right, to 9.
