Subtracting Integers | Positive & Negative | Maths

Subtracting Integers Examples

Example 1

Subtract:
64 – 50

Explanation

In order to subtract a smaller integer from a larger integer, where both the integers are positive, we subtract the smaller integer from the higher integer, and give the positive sign to the difference.
So, first we subtract the smaller integer from the higher integer.
64 – 50 = 14
Now, we assign positive sign to the result i.e, +14 or 14
Hence, 64 – 50 = 14

Example 2

Subtract:
53 – 79

Explanation

In order to subtract a larger integer from a smaller integer, where both the integers are positive, we subtract the smaller integer from the higher integer, and give the negative sign to the difference.
So, first we subtract the smaller integer from the higher integer.
79 – 53 = 26
Now, we assign negative sign to the result i.e, -26
Hence, 53 – 79 = -26

Subtraction of Negative Integers

Example 3

Subtract:
( -31 ) – ( -15 )

Explanation 

In order to subtract a smaller integer from a larger integer, where both the integers are negative, we subtract the smaller integer from the higher integer, and give the negative sign to the difference.
In the present case, both – 31 and – 15 are negative.
Difference of the two integers, ignoring their signs :
= 31 – 15
= 16
Now, we assign negative sign to the result i.e, (-16)
Hence, ( -31 ) – ( -15 ) = (-16)

Example 4

Subtract:
( -19 ) – ( -34 )

Explanation

In order to subtract a larger integer from a smaller integer, where both the integers are negative, we subtract the smaller integer from the higher integer, and give the positive sign to the difference.
In the present case, both – 19 and – 34 are negative.
Difference of the two integers, ignoring their signs :
= 34 – 19
= 15
Now, we assign positive sign to the result i.e, (+15)
Hence, ( -19 ) – ( -34 ) = (+15) or 15

Example 5

Subtract:
( 7 ) – ( -13 )

Explanation

When we subtract a negative integer from a positive integer then, we add the two numbers.
Since, 7 is positive and 13 is negative
We simply Add the two integers, ignoring their signs:
= 13 + 7
= 20 or +20
Hence, ( 7 ) – ( -13 ) = +20 or 20

Example 6

Subtract:
( – 59 ) – ( 81 )

When we subtract a positive integer from a negative integer, we add the two integers and and give the negative sign to it.
Since, – 59 is negative and 81 is positive
We simply Add the two integers, ignoring their signs:
= 81 + 59
= 140
and assign negative sign to the result i.e, -140
Hence, ( -81 ) – ( 59 ) = -140