Integer Rules Poster
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INTEGER RULES
Adding & Subtracting Quick Guide
1
ADDING INTEGERS
Look At The Signs!
Same Signs (+) & (+) OR (−) & (−)
ADD & KEEP
Add numbers • Keep their sign
(+4) + (+3) = +7
(−5) + (−2) = −7
✓ Same signs stick together!
Different Signs (+) & (−)
SUBTRACT & KEEP
Subtract numbers • Take bigger sign
(−8) + (+3) 8 is bigger → take (−)
= −5
(+9) + (−4) 9 is bigger → take (+)
= +5
★ The bigger number wins the sign!
2
SUBTRACTING INTEGERS
Turn Minus Into Plus!
1st Number
KEEP
Leave unchanged
Operation
CHANGE
Minus (−) to Plus (+)
2nd Number
CHANGE
Flip sign to opposite
Ex 1 (+4) − (+7) → (+4) + (−7)
7 is bigger → (−) = −3
Ex 2 (−5) − (−8) → (−5) + (+8)
8 is bigger → (+) = +3
Ex 3 (−3) − (+6) → (−3) + (−6)
Same signs → keep (−) = −9