Subtraction of positive and negative integers | Maths

Starter quiz

Complete the statement. The ______ value of a number is its distance away from zero.

'absolute' ✓
Which integer does this set of counters represent?

11

3 ✓

-3

-11
Work out: 9 + (-7) = ______

'2' ✓
Work out (-5) + (-3)

(-8) ✓

(-2)

2

8
Starting with the calculation with the lowest answer, sort these calculations in order of size from lowest answer to highest answer.

1

⇔

(-3) + (-4)

2

⇔

(-2) + (-1)

3

⇔

5 + (-5)

4

⇔

4 + (-2)

5

⇔

(-3) + 7
Work out: 10 + (-12) + 7 + (-6) = ______

'(-1)' ✓

Complete the statement. The additive inverse of a number is a number that, when added to the original number, gives the sum of ______.

'0' ✓
Match together each of these subtractions with its equivalent addition.

6 - 4

⇔

6 + (-4) ✓

4 - 6

⇔

4 + (-6) ✓

6 - (-4)

⇔

6 + 4 ✓

(-4) - 6

⇔

(-4) + (-6) ✓
Match each calculation to its answer.

6 - 4

⇔

2 ✓

4 - 6

⇔

(-2) ✓

6 - (-4)

⇔

10 ✓

(-4) - 6

⇔

(-10) ✓
Work out (-5) - (-8)

-13

-3

3 ✓

13
Work out: (-1) + 2 - (-3) - 4 + (-5) = ______

'(-5)' ✓
Complete the statement. The missing integer is ______

'(-4)' ✓

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Minus and a minus make a plus, 2 negatives make a positive, double negative makes a positive, etc.

The use of additive inverses should avoid this common misconception. Be aware that pupils maybe already be familiar with this statement.

Additive inverse - The additive inverse of a number is a number that, when added to the original number, gives the sum of 0.
Absolute value - The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero. E.g. 5 and (−5) are both 5 away from zero and so both have an absolute value of 5.