Subtracting integers follows a simple rule that can be understood through a few key concepts. When you subtract one integer from another, you’ll want to keep in mind the signs (positive or negative) of the integers involved.
Here’s the basic rule: to subtract an integer, you will actually add its opposite. This means that instead of calculating A – B, you can rewrite this as A + (-B). By changing the sign of the integer you are subtracting, the operation becomes addition, which is generally easier to handle.
For example, if you have:
- 5 – 3, you can think of this as 5 + (-3), which equals 2.
- -4 – 2, which can be rewritten as -4 + (-2), giving you a result of -6.
- -3 – (-5) becomes -3 + 5, resulting in 2.
This approach not only simplifies the subtraction process but also helps clarify the relationship between positive and negative numbers, making it easier to solve problems involving integers.