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Subtracting integersWhen subtracting integers, use a number line to help you think through problems.
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 -5 − -6 Before you do this problem, it is important to lay down some foundation. In mathematics, whenever you subtract something from the same thing you get 0. Mathematically speaking x − x = 0 7 − 7 = 0 15 − 15 = 0 Would it make sense then to say -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. In general, subtracting a negative from a negative makes the result less negative or more positive and you have to move to the right to get the answer. Where else can you get a deep understanding of math, if not right 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.  If you subtract a negative from a positive, you will have to move to the right too. In fact, whenever, you subtract a negative from anything, you have to move to the right for the same reason we explained above. Find 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 do the following when subtracting a negative from anything: -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 -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 related to integers are modeling integers with chips and integers and inductive reasoning
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| Homepage | Integers|
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|Comparing integers
| Adding integers
| Subtracting integers
| Multiplying integers
|Division of integers
| Variables in algebra
| Linear equations
| Solving equations using addition
| Solving equations using subtraction
| Solving multiplication equations
| Solving two-step equations
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