Rules for Adding and Subtracting Negatives

Adding &Subtracting Negatives

• Step 1: simplify your signs so you only have one in between the numbers
• 9+(-2)=    >>   9-2=  
• -7+(-4)=   >>   -7-4=
• 6-(-1)=     >>   6+1=
• -5-(-3)=    >>   -5+3=
• 
  
• Step 2: circle each number and its sign
• 9-2=
• -7-4=
• 6+1=
• -5+3=
• Step 3: simplify the numbers
• If both highlighted parts are positive, add the numbers and the sign is positive.
• 6+1= 7

• If both highlighted parts are negative, add the numbers and the sign is negative.
• -7-4= -11
• If one highlighted part is positive and one is negative, subtract the small number from the large number and the sign is the same as the larger number.
• 9-2= 7
• -5+3= -2