Subtracting Integers on a Number Line
How to subtract using a number line Place a circle on the number line to represent the first number in the problem. Since this is subtraction, the second number will tell you how much to take away. – This is the opposite of addition. A positive second number means you should move to the left. A negative second number means you should move to the right. The number you end on is the answer.
Example 1 O Model using a number line. O Start at 5 on the number line. O Take away 4, or move 4 spaces to the left since the second number is positive. – = 1
Example 2 Model 5 – 8 Start at 5 on a number line. Take away 8, or move 8 spaces to the left since the second number is positive. – = -3
Example 3 Model 5 – (-4) Start at 5 on the number line. Take away -4, or move 4 spaces to the right since the second number is negative. – (-4) 5 – (-4) = 9
Example 4 Model on a number line. – = -7
Example 5 Model -1 - (-6) on a number line – (-6) -1 – (-6) = 5
Example 6 Model on a number line – = -6
Example 7 Model -8 - (-12) on a number line – (-12) -8 – (-12) = 4
Example 8 Model on a number line – = -8
Example 9 Model 3 - (-4) on a number line – (-4) 3 – (-4) = 7
Example 10 Model -7 – (-7) on a number line – (-7) -7 – (-7) = 0