Integer Operations
How to Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide Integers
Addition of Integers
Adding integers is easy. If your signs are alike you add your numbers together and keep the sign of the problem. If your signs are different you subtract your numbers and take the sign of the number with the greatest absolute value.
Subtraction of Integers
If you have a subtraction problem, the rule is Don't do it, Change it! How? LCO+ it
LCO+ means:
L - leave the first number alone
C - change subtraction to addition
O - change the next number to its opposite
+ - revert back to your addition rules
Multiplication of Integers
Multiplying integers is easy. You use 2 steps:
Step 1 - Multiply your numbers
Step 2 - You count your negative signs:
- If you have an even number of negatives your answer is a positive.
- If you have an odd number of negatives your answer is a negative.
Division of Integers
Dividing integers is as easy as multiplying. Again you follow 2 steps.
Step 1 - Divide your numbers
Step 2 - You count your negative signs:
- If you have an even number of negatives your answer is a positive.
- If you have an odd number of negatives your answer is a negative.