Mastering Adding and Subtracting Integers Easily

Adding and Subtracting Integers

When you add integers with the same sign (both positive or both negative), just add the absolute values and keep the sign. For example, -5 + $-3$ means adding 5 and 3 to get 8, but keeping the negative sign: -8.

For integers with different signs, subtract the absolute values and use the sign of the larger number. This works like a tug-of-war - the stronger number determines the direction!

Remember This! Adding a negative number is the same as subtracting a positive number. For example: 5 + $-3$ is the same as 5 - 3.

When subtracting integers, the key trick is to add the opposite. Change the subtraction to addition and flip the sign of the second number. For example, -5 - 3 becomes -5 + $-3$ = -8.

Subtracting negative numbers might feel confusing at first, but remember to change to addition and flip the sign. This means subtracting a negative actually makes your answer larger!