Positive Negative Integers
Positive Negative Integers
Positive Negative Integers
Negative Numbers ()
(This is the Number Line, read about Using The Number Line)
Example: 2 + 3 = 5
is really saying "Positive 2 plus Positive 3 equals Positive 5"
Example: 6 3 = 3
is really saying "Positive 6 minus Positive 3 equals Positive 3"
The balloons pull up (positive) And the weights drag down (negative)
http://www.mathsisfun.com/positive-negative-integers.html
7/26/2013
Page 2 of 6
You can take away balloons (you are subtracting positive value)
Now let's see what adding and subtracting negative numbers looks like:
And you can take away weights (you are subtracting negative values)
That last one was interesting ... subtracting a negative made the basket go up
http://www.mathsisfun.com/positive-negative-integers.html
7/26/2013
Page 3 of 6
We also found that taking away balloons (subtracting positives) or adding weights (adding negatives) both made the basket go down.
Subtraction
Example: What is 6 (+3) ? 6(+3) = 6 3 = 3 Example: What is 5 + (7) ? 5+(7) = 5 7 = 2
The Rules:
It can all be put into two rules: Rule Two like signs become a positive sign Example
3+(+2) = 3 + 2 = 5 6(3) = 6 + 3 = 9
7+(2) = 7 2 = 5 8(+2) = 8 2 = 6
They are "like signs" when they are like each other (in other words: the same).
Two like signs become a positive sign Two unlike signs become a negative sign
http://www.mathsisfun.com/positive-negative-integers.html
7/26/2013
Page 4 of 6
6+(+3) = 6 + 3 = -3
Start at 6 on the number line, move forward 3, and you end up at 3
If I say "Eat!" I am encouraging you to eat (positive) But if I say "Do not eat!" I am saying the opposite (negative). Now if I say "Do NOT not eat!", I am saying I don't want you to starve, so I am back to saying "Eat!" (positive). So, two negatives make a positive, and if that satisfies you, then you are done!
http://www.mathsisfun.com/positive-negative-integers.html
7/26/2013
Page 5 of 6
Ally starts the day with 9 Points:
Ally's Mum discovers spilt milk: Then Dad confesses he spilt the milk and writes "undo". Mum calculates:
93 = 6
6(3) = 6+3 = 9
So if you subtract a negative, you gain points (i.e. the same as adding points).
A few days later. Ally has 12 points. Mum adds 3 points because Ally's room is clean. Dad says "I cleaned that room" and writes "undo" on the chart. Mum calculates: Dad sees Ally brushing the dog. Writes "+3" on the chart. Mum calculates: Ally throws a stone against the window. Dad writes "3" on the chart. Mum calculates: 12+3 = 15 15 (+3) = 12 12 + (+3) = 15 15 + (3) = 12
It doesn't matter if you subtract positive points or add negative points, you still end up losing points. So, Subtracting a Positive or Adding a Negative is
Subtraction
Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5 Question 6 Question 7 Question 8 Question 9 Question 10
http://www.mathsisfun.com/positive-negative-integers.html 7/26/2013
Page 6 of 6
Search :: Index :: About :: Contact :: Contribute :: Cite This Page :: Privacy
Copyright 2013 MathsIsFun.com
http://www.mathsisfun.com/positive-negative-integers.html
7/26/2013