Adding Integers

Integers are positive and negative whole numbers. They are not fractions or
decimals.

Positive + Positive
= this stands for a positive number

2+6=8 7 + 5 = 12 3+ 1 = 4 8 + 5 = 13

Add the numbers.

The answer is positive.

27 + 14 = 36 + 82 = 19 + 43 = 22 + 51 =

Negative + Negative
= this stands for a negative number

-2 + -6 = -8 -7 + -5 = -12 -3+ -1 = -4 -8 + -5 = -13

Add the numbers.

The answer is negative.

-12 + (-17) = -43 + (-21) = -15 + (-36) = -54 + (-29) =

 Positive + Negative
Negative + Positive
= this stands for a positive number
= this stands for a negative number

8 + (-4) =
Put counters out to represent each
number. Use the blue counters for
the positive number and red
counters for the negative number.

Since you are adding, you want to

combine the two groups of counters
together. When a positive counter is
paired with a negative counter they 8 + (-4) =
make zero. Since these pairs have a
value of zero, you can remove them
without changing the value.

8 + (-4) = +4
Use what’s left to help you find the
answer. Since you only have 4
counters left the answer is 4. Since
the counters are blue, then it is +4.

When you add a positive and a negative, you match up as many counters as you can
and take them away (together a positive and a negative equal zero). Whatever is left
over is the number part of your answer. Since you are looking for what is left over you
need to find the difference between the two amounts. Subtract the two numbers, to
find out what would be left over.
5 + (-7) =
-7 =7 5 =5
1. Subtract the absolute value of the numbers.
7–5=2
-7 > 5
2. Give the answer the same sign as the integer with the
Since the absolute value of -7 is
greater absolute value.
greater, the answer will be
negative.
5 + (-7) = -2

13 + (-4) = -12 + 7 = - 28 + 10 = 36 + (-14) =