Adding Integers using Rules

Rules for Adding Integers

We can add integers follows rules based on their signs (positive or negative).

Rule 1: Adding Integers with the Same Sign If both integers are positive: Add their absolute values (the numbers without the sign) and the sum will be positive. If both integers are negative: Add their absolute values and the sum will be negative. Rule 2: Adding Integers with Different Signs Find the absolute value of each integer. Subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value. The sign of the result will be the same as the sign of the integer with the larger absolute value. 3. Adding zero to any integer does not change its value.

The following diagrams show the integer rules for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Scroll down the page for examples, and solutions.

Integer Rules Lesson
Check out the following lesson for the integer addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Integer Rules

Integer Worksheets
Practice your integer skills with the following integer worksheets:
Online & Printable Integer Worksheets

The rules for adding integers
Examples:
2 + 3, -5 + (-8), 10 + (-7), 16 + (-21), -4 + (-5) + (-1), -7 + (-4) + 12, 8 + 3 + (-15), 2 + (-3) + 4, (-4) + 3 + (-6), 10 + (-18) + (-4)

The rules for adding integers
Examples:
-5 + 9, -3 + (-2), 8 + (-7), 10 + (-3), -4 + (-8), -1 + 5
Evaluate n + (-2) for each value of n.

This video explains how to add integers using formal rules for adding integers.
Rules for Addition of Integers
A. If you are adding two integers of the same sign

1. Add their absolute values
   
2. Keep the sign of the original integers
   B. If you are adding two integers with different signs
   
3. Find the absolute value of both
   
4. Subtract the smaller value from the larger value
   
5. The sign of the answer is the original sign of the number with the larger value.

This video provides example of adding integers using a money analogy and the formal rules for adding integers.

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