Integers include all whole numbers from negative infinity to positive infinity, including zero, and are denoted by the letter Z. On a number line, positive integers are to the right of zero and negative integers are to the left. The additive inverse of a number is its opposite - for example, the additive inverse of 5 is -5. To subtract integers, the subtraction sign is changed to addition and the number after the sign is changed to its opposite. This allows subtraction problems to be solved as addition problems.

1. INTEGERS

2. Integers
A whole number, from zero to positive or negative infinity is
called Integers. I.e. it is a set of numbers which include
zero, positive natural numbers and negative natural
numbers. It is denoted by letter Z.
Z = {…,-2,-1, 0, 1, 2…}

3. Integers on Number Line
On the number line, for positive integers we move to the right from zero and
For negative integers move to the left of zero.

4. The Additive Inverse of an Integer
Number Additive Inverse
5 - 5
14 - 14
- 10 10
- 6 6

5. Rules for
Subtracting Integers (-)
• To subtract an integer, add its
opposite.
• You will need to correctly change all
subtraction problems into addition
problems!

6. How do you
change a
subtraction
problem into an
addition problem?

7. There are three steps:
1. Keep the first integer the same.
(Same)
2. Change the subtraction sign into an
addition sign. (Change)
3. Take the opposite of the number that
immediately follows the newly placed
addition sign. (Change)

8. Let’s Practice “Subtraction”
1) 5 – 2 =
2) -3 – 4 =
3) -1 – (-2) =
4) -5 – (-3) =
5) 7 – (-6) =

9.  Let’s Check
1) 5 – 2 = 5 + (-2) = 3
2) -3 – 4 = -3 + (-4) = -7
3) -1 – (-2) = -1 + 2 = 1
4) -5 – (-3) = -5 + 3 = -2
5) 7 – (-6) = 7+ 6 = 13
END