Subtracting Integers

When subtracting integers, use a number line to help you think through problems. We illustrate with some examples below.

For example: 4 - 6

6 is positive, so 4 - 6 = 4 - (+6)

Here, you are subtracting a positive from a positive, so the result is less positive.

Therefore, you will start at 4 and you have to move to the left.

In this case, you will move 6 units to the left.

You end up at -2, so the answer is -2. Take a look at the number line below to see how this is done.

Find the answer to -5 ─ -6.

Before you do this problem, it is important to lay down some foundation.

Would it make sense then to say that -4 ─ -4 = 0?

Of course it would because you are subtracting negative 4 from negative 4.

Since the answer is 0 and you started at -4, you had to move to the right to end up at zero. This is crucial information I am giving you here!

Having said that, to find -5 ─ -6, you have to start at -5 and move 6 units to the right.

If you do that, you will end up at 1, so the answer is 1.

Find the answer to 1─ -7

Start at 1 and move 7 units to the right. You end up at 8, so the answer is 8.

In practice, it is convenient to change the minus sign and the negative sign next to it into an addition sign and a positive sign.

-2 ─ -3 = -2 + + 3 = 1

4 ─ -5 = 4 + + 5 = 9

Finally, subtracting a positive from a negative makes the result less positive, so you will move to the left to get the answer.

Find the answer to -1 ─ 8

Start at -1 and move 8 units to the left. You end up at -9, so the answer is -9.

Here is a summary for subtracting integers

4 ─ (+5) = 4 + (-5) = -1

-5 ─ (-6) = -5 + 6 = 1

5 ─ (-7) = 5 + (+7) = 12

-6 ─ (+8) = -6 + (-8) = -14

Here is the rule:

When subtracting integers, add the opposite.

3 ─ 5 = 3 + (-5) = -2

3 ─ -5 = 3 + +5 = 8

Use this subtracting integers calculator to practice. Other popular topics are modeling integers with chips and integers and inductive reasoning.

Subtracting integers quiz. How well do you understand the lesson on this page?