What are 3 examples of positive integers?

This is the Number Line:

If a number has no sign it usually means that it is a positive number.

Play with it!

On the Number Line positive goes to the right and negative to the left.

Try the sliders below and see what happens:

numbers/images/number-line-add.js?sub=n

Let us think about numbers as balloons (positive) and weights (negative):

This basket has balloons and weights tied to it:

• The balloons pull up (positive)
• And the weights drag down (negative)

Adding positive numbers is just simple addition.

We can add balloons (we are adding positive value)

the basket gets pulled upwards (positive)

is really saying

"Positive 2 plus Positive 3 equals Positive 5"

We could write it as (+2) + (+3) = (+5)

Subtracting A Positive Number

Subtracting positive numbers is just simple subtraction.

We can take away balloons (we are subtracting positive value)

the basket gets pulled downwards (negative)

is really saying

"Positive 6 minus Positive 3 equals Positive 3"

We could write it as (+6) − (+3) = (+3)

Now let's see what adding and subtracting negative numbers looks like:

We can add weights (we are adding negative values)

the basket gets pulled downwards (negative)

is really saying

"Positive 6 plus Negative 3 equals Positive 3"

We could write it as (+6) + (−3) = (+3)

The last two examples showed us that taking away balloons (subtracting a positive) or adding weights (adding a negative) both make the basket go down.

So these have the same result:

• (+6) − (+3) = (+3)
• (+6) + (−3) = (+3)

In other words subtracting a positive is the same as adding a negative.

Subtracting A Negative Number

Lastly, we can take away weights (we are subtracting negative values)

the basket gets pulled upwards (positive)

Yes indeed! Subtracting a Negative is the same as adding!

Two Negatives make a Positive

What Did We Find?

Adding a positive number is simple addition ...

Adding a Positive is Addition

Positive and Negative Together ...

Subtracting a Positive
or
Adding a Negative
is
Subtraction

Subtracting a negative ...

Subtracting a Negative is the same as Adding

The Rules:

It can all be put into two rules:

They are "like signs" when they are like each other (in other words: the same).

So, all you have to remember is:

Two like signs become a positive sign

Two unlike signs become a negative sign

+(−) are unlike signs (they are not the same), so they become a negative sign.

5+(−2) = 5 − 2 = 3

−(−) are like signs, so they become a positive sign.

25−(−4) = 25+4 = 29

Starting Negative

What if we start with a negative number?

Using The Number Line can help:

+(+) are like signs, so they become a positive sign.

−3+(+2) = −3 + 2

move forward 2 and you end up at −1

−3+(+2) = −3 + 2 = −1

+(−) are unlike signs, so they become a negative sign.

−3+(−2) = −3 − 2

move back 2 and you end up at −5

−3+(−2) = −3 − 2 = −5

Now Play With It!

A Common Sense Explanation

And there is a "common sense" explanation:

If I say "Eat!" I am encouraging you to eat (positive)

If I say "Do not eat!" I am saying the opposite (negative).

Now if I say "Do NOT not eat!", I am saying I don't want you to starve, so I am back to saying "Eat!" (positive).

So, two negatives make a positive, and if that satisfies you, then you are done!

Another Common Sense Explanation

A friend is +, an enemy is −

A Bank Example

So the bank must take away a negative $10.

Let's say your current balance is $80, so you will then have:

$80−(−$10) = $80 + $10 = $90

So you get $10 more in your account.

A Long Example You Might Like

Ally's Points

Ally can be naughty or nice. So Ally's parents have said

"If you are nice we will add 3 points (+3). If you are naughty, we take away 3 points (−3).

When you reach 30 Points you get a toy."

So when we subtract a negative, we gain points
(i.e. the same as adding points).

So Subtracting a Negative is the same as Adding

See: both "15 − (+3)" and "15 + (−3)" result in 12.

So:

It doesn't matter if you subtract positive points or add negative points,

you still end up losing points.

So Subtracting a Positive
or
Adding a Negative
is
Subtraction

Try These Exercises ...

Now try This Worksheet, and see how you go.

And also try these questions:

11715, 11716, 11717, 11718, 11719, 11720, 11721, 3445, 3446