Subtraction of Integers:

a) Positive integer + Positive integer:

When two positive integers are subtracted, we get a positive integer.
(+3) - (+2) = 1 [= 3 - 2]

b) Negative integer + Negative integer:

When two negative integers are subtracted, we get a negative integer.
(-5) - (-3) = - 2 [= -5 + 3]

c) Positive integer + Negative integer:

When one positive and one negative integer are added we subtract them as whole numbers by considering the numbers without their sign and then put the sign of the bigger number with the subtraction obtained. The bigger integer is decided by ignoring the signs of the integers.

(+ 5) - (- 8) = (+ 5) - (- 8) = 5 + 8 = 13.

Subtraction of Integers with the help of a Number Line:

i) Find the value of – 8 – (–10) using a number line.

– 8 – (– 10) is equal to – 8 + 10 as the additive inverse of – 10 is 10. On the number line, from – 8 we will move 10 steps towards the right.

We reach at 2. Thus, – 8 – (– 10) = 2.

Hence, to subtract an integer from another integer it is enough to add the additive inverse of the integer that is being subtracted, to the other integer.