# Math Help - [SOLVED] Adding/Sub. negative &amp; positive integers

1. ## [SOLVED] Adding/Sub. negative &amp; positive integers

Hi, please help me review. I'm trying to remember how to add or subtract positive and negative integers.Thanks, C.D.M.

2. Remember this trick

Like signs attract Opposite signs repulse

For e.g

-2-3 Like signs since both are negative so we ADD Therefore our answer is -5

-2+3 Opposite signs so we SUBTRACT .Our answer is 1(Add the sign of the larger integer)

3. ## logic

just think of it in terms of counters:

take 3 plus 5:
three counters is + + +
add five more counters you get + + + + + + + +

or 5 minus 2
five counters is + + + + +
if you remove two counters you get + + +

a negative number is reperesented by a minus sign -

so you could also think of adding negative numbers

5 minus 3
five counters is + + + + +
add three negative counters + + + + + - - -
the negative and positive counters cancel out and you get + +

4. ## Try this for plenty of practice-

Originally Posted by carolinemassey
Hi, please help me review. I'm trying to remember how to add or subtract positive and negative integers.Thanks, C.D.M.
Hi Caroline-
I found a web site that will let you try as many integer problems as you need to. It gives feedback, of course, and allows you to pick, adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.

Some of my students have found it very helpful. Use it until you've 'got it' then try it again another day to see if you still remember how to do these problems.

The website is at FlashCards with Negative Numbers

I have a link to it on the website I wrote the html code for, Multiplication Facts Drill (an on-line program)

Good luck,
Mr. Taylor

PS- Let me know if it helps!

5. ## Mental flow for adding / subtracting negative and positive integers

Hi Caroline,

I have a blog entry that you may find useful. It describes the 2 simple steps that we can take to correctly evaluate negative and positive integers.

Mental Flow for Addition and Subtraction.

Also, you may find useful is the simple steps to evaluate positive and negative integers for multiplication and division.

6. ## WOW .. I've managed to make -7 + 9 sound complicated .. LOL

That is a very nice way of thinking about it dented.

I prefer algebra to counters though (before you ask, yes I probably am crazy lol)

In short, if it contains only two (negative) numbers, then use the formula:

$-(n + m) = q$

where:
n = the first number, but reversed so it is positive
m = the second number, with its value reversed similarly to n
q = the final answer

OR

if there is just one negative number, use this:

$m - n = q$

where:
n = the negative number
m = the positive number
q = the final answer

if you want it to be explained further, try taking a look at these worked examples:

- 7 - 9 = q
- n - m = q

n = 7
m = 9
q = unknown

where:
n = the first number, but reversed so it is positive
m = the second number, with its value reversed similarly to n
q = the final answer

- 7 - 9 = 0 - 7 - 9
- n - m = 0 - n - m
0 - n - m

if:
-n = -1 * n = [n * -1]
-m = -1 * m = [m * -1]

therefore:
0 - [ [ n * -1] [ + m * -1] ]

to identify each term, ive removed the inner [] brackets and used {} brackets to show the term and its operator:

0 - [ { + n } { * [-1] } { + m } { * [-1] } ]

these can be rearranged and simplified as follows:
0 - [ { + n } { + m } { * [-1] } { * [-1] } ]
0 - [ n + m * -1 * -1 ]
0 - [ n + m * 1 ]
0 - [ n + m ]

therefore, in the equation -7 - 9 = q , where n = 7 and m = 9;
0 - [ n + m ] = q
0 - [ 7 + 9 ] = q
0 - [ 16 ] = 9
0 - 16 = q
q = 16

thus:
- 7 - 9 = -16

BUT, if there is only one negative number and one positive number in the equation, then it becomes pointless to do anything except rearrange and solve that way because using a modified version of the above formula simply resulted in exactly the same thing.
Just trust me on this point lol.
just do this:

- 7 + 9 = q
- n + m = q

n = 7
m = 9
q = unknown

where:
n = the negative number
m = the positive number
q = the final answer

- 7 + 9 = q

- n + m = q
+ m - n = q

- 7 + 9 = q
+ 9 - 7 = q

+ 2 = q
q = 2

thus:
9 - 7 = 2

Footnote:
Sorry: when I started typing, the idea of this seemed like a good one, but after finishing it, it seems almost pointless and almost off-topic
I mean, I've made something as simple as -7 + 9 into at least three or four screens of text / numbers lol ... sorry
Anyways .. you wouldn't believe how much time / work it took to do this (I almost don't believe it myself after seeing the finished bit) but I've put too much effort into it to not do anything with it, so there it is .. enjoy

7. Good morning, kwah.

Part of me wants to ask you how to subtract positive and negative numbers. Two numbers only also.

But most of the parts of me say "No, do not dare do that!"

I'm democratic, so the many parts won.

Have a nice weekend.

8. Originally Posted by ticbol
Good morning, kwah.

Part of me wants to ask you how to subtract positive and negative numbers. Two numbers only also.

But most of the parts of me say "No, do not dare do that!"

I'm democratic, so the many parts won.

Have a nice weekend.
I hope my previous post did not scare you lol.

Adding and subtracting negative numbers is much more simple than it looks.

There are many many different ways of teaching this - including one that I've made myself, but the most common one that ive seen is using these two rules:

** If the symbols are the same, then the number will get bigger and you must move your finger to the right on a number line.
For example, -(-3) and +(+3) will make the number bigger.

** If, however, the symbols are the different, then the number will get smaller and you must move your finger to the left on a number line.
For example, -(+3) and +(-3) will make the number smaller.

EXAMPLES:
Code:
3 + +7 = 10 [ ++ makes the 3 bigger ] 3 < 10
3 + -7 = -4 [ +- makes the 3 smaller ] 3 > -4
3 - +7 = -4 [ +- makes the 3 smaller ] 3 > -4
3 - -7 = 10 [ -- makes the 3 bigger ] 3 < 10

3 + 7 = 10 [notice that ++ is the same as +]
3 - 7 = -4 [notice that +- is the same as -]
3 - 7 = -4 [notice that -+ is the same as -]
3 + 7 = 10 [notice that -+ is the same as +]
can you see the patterns?