Integers

By Muralee.V.

Reading and writing integers and representing on a number line.

1. Integers = positive and negative whole numbers, including zero. ( …, -5, -4, -3,
-2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, … )
Note: fractions and decimals are not integers.
2. Integers can be represented on a horizontal or vertical number line.
3.
Example
Positive integers
Negative integers

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

4. When asked to draw number line which consists the word from, include the
numbers (when drawing a number line from -5 to 5, include -5 and 5 onto the
number line)
5. When asked to draw number line which consists the word between, exclude the
numbers (when drawing a number line between -5 and 5, exclude -5 and 5 from
the number line)
6. Example 1
a) Draw a number line from -3 to 3
b) Draw a umber line between -3 and 3

Solution
a)
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

b)
-2 -1 0 1 2

Comparing the value of two integers

The values on the right of a number line are greater than the values on the left.
Example,

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2* 3 4 5
- compare -4 and -2 = -2 is to the right of -4, therefore -4 < -2
- compare -5 and 0 = -5 is to the left of 0, therefore 0 > -5

Representing given situations with positive and negative integers

1. Increase and decrease in values
- A profit represented by positive symbol
Example: RM 400 profit = +400
- A loss represented by negative symbol
Example : RM 700 = -700

2. Values that are more or less than zero

- The temperature 12oC above 0oC of a room is represented by +12 oC
- The temperature 5oC below 0oC of a cold room is represented by -5 oC

3. Positive and negative directions

- 90o clockwise directions is represented by +90o
- 90o anti-clockwise directions is represented by -90o

Example 2
1. Determine the largest integer and the smallest integer from among the following
integers.
a) 87, -78, 92, -7, 1, -10
b) -32, -45, -87, -8, -4
2. Arrange the following integers in ascending order
a) 108, -435, -76, -976, -658
b) -2 654, -8 745, 2 979, -4 793
3. Arrange the following integers in descending order
a) 2, -54, -87, -743, 76, 3 987
b) 5 654, -986, -3 456, 572, -6 935

Solution
1. a) 87, -78, 92, -7, 1, -10
Arrange in ascending order

-78, -10, -7, 1, 87, 92

Therefore, largest integer = 92 and the smallest integer = -78

b) -32, -45, -87, -8, -4

Arrange in ascending order

-87, -45, -32, -8, -4

Therefore, largest integer = -4 and the smallest integer = -87

2. a) 108, -435, -76, -976, -658

Arrange from the smallest number to the largest number
-976, -658, -435, -76, 108

b) -2 654, -8 745, 2 979, -4 793

Arrange from the smallest number to the largest number
-8 745, -4 793, -2 654, 2 979
3. a) 2, -54, -87, -743, 76, 3 987
Arrange from the largest number to the smallest number
3 987, 76, 2, -54, -87, -743
b) 5 654, -986, -3 456, 572, -6 935
Arrange from the largest number to the smallest number
5 654, 572, -986, -3 456, -6 935

Addition and Subtraction of integers

1. Addition and subtraction can be done using number line.
2. Move to the right along the number line (positive direction) when an integer is
added with a positive integer.
Positive direction

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

3. Move to the left along the number line (negative direction) when an integer is
added with a negative integer.
Negative direction

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

4. Move to the left along the number line (negative direction) when an integer is
subtracted with a positive integer.
Example: -2 – (-3) = 1 Move 3 units to the right

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

5. Move to the right along the number line (positive direction) when an integer is
subtracted with a negative integer.
Example : 4 – 6 = -2
Move 6 units to the

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Example 3
Calculate the following
a) -5 + (-12)
b) 56 – (-7)
c) 35 + (-45) + (-11)
d) (-87) - (-9) – (-98)
e) 56 – (-36) + (-5) - 24
Solution
a) -5 + (-12) = -5 – 12 (removing the bracket)
= -17

b) 56 – (-7) = 56 + 7 (removing the bracket)

= 63

c) 35 + (-45) + (-11) = 35 – 45 – 11
(removing the brackets and work from left to right)
= -10 – 11
= -21

d) (-87) - (-9) – (-98) = -87 + 9 + 98

(removing the brackets and work from left to right)
= -78 + 98
= 20

e) 56 – (-36) + (-5) – 24 = 56 + 36 – 5 – 24
(removing the brackets and work from left to right)
= 92 – 5 – 24
= 87 – 24
= 63
Problem Solving
Example 4
a) On a day, the afternoon temperature is 30oC. After a heavy rain, the temperature
drops by 5oC. Then, after 3 hours the temperature rises by 3oC. Find the current
temperature.
b) During a four weeks shoes sale, Halim made a profit of RM 657 and RM 746 in
the first and second week respectively. In third week he loses RM 234 and in the
forth week he gained half of the second week’s profit. Calculate the profit / loss
did Halim make by the end of the four weeks.

Solution

a) Initial temperature = 30oC

the drop of temperature = -5oC
the increase in temperature = 3oC
Current temperature = 30oC - 5oC + 3oC
= 25oC + 3oC
= 28oC
Therefore the current temperature is 28oC

b) Profit ( 1st week) = RM 657

Profit ( 2nd week) = RM 746
Loss (3rd week) = RM 234
 Profit (4th week) = RM 746 2
= RM 373

After 4 weeks = 657 + 746 – 234 + 373

= 1 542
(The answer is positive. So, he made profit)
Therefore Halim made RM 1 542 profit after 4 weeks sale.

Test yourself
Calculate the following
1. 45 – ( -56) – 5
2. 456 + (-894) – (-765)
3. During a winter, the temperature of Canada is - 15oC. In the spring, the
temperature rises by 18oC. What is the temperature in the spring?
4. Majan made profit of RM 8 565 and RM 5 768 in the month of January and
February respectively. He suffered loss of RM 18 765 in March. Calculate his
profit/loss at the end of March.

Answers
1. 96
2. 327
3. 3oC
4. loss RM - 432