Skills Focused: Integer Operations, Real-World Application, Analytical Thinking, Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Communication, Confidence with Negative Numbers
Integer Addition and Subtraction Worksheets are a great way to practice and understand how integers work in real-life situations. These worksheets, are designed for Grade 8 learners with relatable scenarios like changes in temperature, gains and losses in finances, and shifts in elevation to make math more practical and meaningful.
Each worksheet includes 15-word problems that encourage problem-solving and critical thinking. These problems are not just about numbers—they’re about understanding how math applies to everyday moments. For example, learners might calculate how much a mountain climber’s position changes after an ascent or descent or figure out the net gain or loss in a stock account. These problems help students see how integer operations, like addition and subtraction, are around us.
The worksheets are available in PDF format, making them easy to download and print for quick access. Answer keys are included for those who register, so verifying solutions is straightforward. These worksheets can be used for classroom activities and homework and provide a focused way to strengthen math skills while connecting them to real-world applications.
By combining practical scenarios with essential math skills, these worksheets help learners build confidence and a solid understanding of integer operations. They offer a practical, hands-on approach to mastering this important concept.
Time needed: 2 minutes
Learn how to solve a real-world math problem involving integer addition.
Determine the starting value of the problem. In this case, the initial temperature is -8°C.
Recognize the value being added or subtracted. Here, the temperature increased by 15°C.
Add the change to the initial value. Use the equation: -8 + 15.
Calculate the result by adding -8 and 15. Start at -8 on the number line and move 15 steps to the right, resulting in 7.
Understand the final value in the context of the problem. The final temperature is 7°C.
Adding and subtracting integers is all about paying attention to their signs. When adding:
Same signs: Add the numbers and keep the sign.
Different signs: Subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger one and keep the sign of the larger absolute value.
For subtraction, simply change the subtraction sign to addition and flip the sign of the number being subtracted. Then follow the addition rules.
Example:
−7+3=−4 because the larger absolute value is 7, and it has a negative sign.
−5−(−3)=−5+3=−2 because subtracting a negative is like adding a positive.
To subtract integers:
1. Keep the first number as it is.
2. Change the subtraction sign to addition.
3. Flip the sign of the second number.
4. Add the two numbers using the rules for addition.
Example: 8 − (−5)
1. Keep the 8.
2. Change subtraction to addition: 8 + 5
3. Solve: 8 + 5 = 13
So, 8 − (−5) =13
Integer addition and subtraction appear in everyday scenarios like tracking temperature changes, calculating profit or loss, and measuring elevation. For example, if the temperature is -4°C and rises by 6°C, you add: −4 + 6 = 2. The final temperature is 2°C. Similarly, subtracting integers helps calculate how much altitude a hiker has lost or how much debt is paid off.
When adding two negative integers, add their absolute values and keep the negative sign. This is because combining two negatives always results in a bigger negative number.
Example: −4 + (−6) = −(4 + 6 ) = − 10
Think of it as owing $4 and borrowing another $6—you now owe $10.
Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its opposite. This happens because of the “double negative rule,” where two negatives cancel each other out.
Example: 10 − (−3) becomes 10 + 3
Subtracting −3 means adding 3 because you’re removing the effect of the negative.
Start with visual aids like a number line. Show how moving left represents subtraction and moving right represents addition. Use relatable examples like bank balances or temperature changes to make it meaningful. For example, “If you have -2 in your account and deposit $5, what’s your balance?” helps connect math to real life.
A quick trick is to “add the opposite.”
For example:
Instead of 7 − ( −3 ), rewrite it as 7 + 3, then solve: 7 + 3 = 10
Changing subtraction to addition makes solving easier and avoids sign confusion.
