How to Add Positive and Negative Integers: GED Math Explained

Adding Integers Using a Number Line

• 💡 To add a negative integer to a positive integer, start at the first number on the number line and move to the right for addition.
• 🎯 For example, to solve -4 + 6, start at -4 and move 6 units to the right, landing on 2.
• 🚀 Similarly, to solve -9 + 4, start at -9 and move 4 units to the right, resulting in -5.

Simplifying Addition with Negative Integers

• 🔑 When a positive sign is next to a negative sign (e.g., 7 + -4), it can be simplified to a subtraction problem (7 - 4).
• 🧠 This simplification applies because a positive times a negative equals a negative.

Subtracting Integers Using a Number Line

• 📌 To subtract, travel to the left on the number line.
• 📊 For instance, 7 - 4 starts at 7 and moves 4 units to the left, resulting in 3.
• 🔍 Calculating 5 - 8 involves starting at 5 and moving 8 units to the left, which leads to -3.