Subtraction of integers

Subtraction of integers

The idea of opposite is used in the subtraction of integers. The opposite of subtraction is addition and the opposite of addition is subtraction. The opposite of negative is positive and the opposite of positive is negative.

Therefore, in subtracting integers, you need to change the operation from subtraction to addition.

When the operation is changed from subtraction to addition, the next sign after the operation must change. If it is negative, then it will be positive, and if it is positive, then it will be negative.

Example 1

$+14 - (+13) =$

Solution

Suppose you have a profit of 14 items, but you also have a debt of 13 items of the same type. After paying the debt you will remain with a profit of 1 item.

Therefore, $+14 - (+13) = 1$

Example 2

$+6 - (+9) =$

Solution

Positive 6 minus positive 9 (remember that, positive numbers can be written together with a plus sign or without the sign).

Therefore, $+6 - (+9) = -3$

Example 3

$-26 - (+20) =$

Solution

$-26 - (+20) = -26 + (-20) = -46$