Integers - Working with Negative Numbers

There are two kinds of integers - positive and negative. A positive number is any number with a value of 0 and up. A negative number is a number with a value of less than “0.”

For example, let’s look at the following problem:

17 - 19 = ?

As 19 is a number that is greater than (>) 17 our answer will bring us below the number of “0”. To show that a number is less than “0” a minus symbol “-” is used in front of the integer. So in revisiting the above problem, the answer would look like this:

17 - 19 = -2

The “-2” is a negative integer.

When adding a positive integer with a negative integer it is the same thing as subtracting them. For example: 8 + (-6) = is rewritten as 8 - 6 = 2. To show that an integer is a negative number in a math problem it is surrounded by parentheses.

When subtracting negative integers it is the same thing as adding them. For example 10 - (-5) = is rewritten as 10 + 5 = 15.

When adding a negative integer with another negative integer it is the same as adding positive integers. For example: (-30) + (-20) = 30 + 20 = 50. The minus symbol “-” is then placed before the answer so the answer is -50.

Hint:
Two like signs become a positive (“-” “-” = “+”)
Two unlike signs become a negative (“-” “+” = “-” and “+” “-” = “-”)