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Secondary 1 · Mathematics
Numbers · Integers

Operations with integers

A diver in Bayahibe is at $-15$ meters and goes down $12$ meters more. At doña Altagracia's corner store, the business account goes up and down with sales and payments. To solve this without getting tangled up, you need to master operations with integers.

Adding and subtracting integers

Number line illustrating the addition of integers: a move of +9 units from -4 to +5, crossing zero. +9 −40+5 +4+5

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero, regardless of the sign: $|-4| = 4$ and $|+5| = 5$. You will use it to add and subtract.

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Calculate the following simple additions and subtractions of integers: a) $(+7) + (+5) =$ b) $(-8) + (-3) =$ c) $(+9) + (-4) =$ d) $(-6) + (+10) =$

Calculate the following simple additions and subtractions of integers:

  1. a) $(+7) + (+5) =$
  2. b) $(-8) + (-3) =$
  3. c) $(+9) + (-4) =$
  4. d) $(-6) + (+10) =$
Solve
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In Valle Nuevo, the thermometer read $-4$ ºC at seven in the morning. If by midday the temperature has risen by $9$ ºC, what temperature does the thermometer show now?…

In Valle Nuevo, the thermometer read $-4$ ºC at seven in the morning. If by midday the temperature has risen by $9$ ºC, what temperature does the thermometer show now? Express the calculation using integers.

−4 0 Below zero (-) Above zero (+) Rises 9 ºC (+9) Initial Final
Solve
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Solve the following operations by removing the brackets first: a) $12 + (-5) =$ b) $8 - (+10) =$ c) $(-3) - (-7) =$ d) $(-5) + (+5) =$

Solve the following operations by removing the brackets first:

  1. a) $12 + (-5) =$
  2. b) $8 - (+10) =$
  3. c) $(-3) - (-7) =$
  4. d) $(-5) + (+5) =$
Solve

Word problems with addition and subtraction

For word problems, translate each rise, drop, deposit, or payment into an integer (positive if it goes up or comes in, negative if it goes down or goes out) and add them.

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A diver is at a depth of $-15$ meters relative to sea level. If he decides to descend another $12$ meters, what depth will he be at now? Draw this on the vertical number…

A diver is at a depth of $-15$ meters relative to sea level. If he decides to descend another $12$ meters, what depth will he be at now? Draw this on the vertical number line.

0 m (Sea level) −5 −10 −20 −25 −30 −15 m Down 12 m −12 ? m
Solve
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You are on floor $2$ of a shopping center. You go up $3$ floors to get to the food court and then go down $6$ floors to reach the parking lot. Which floor is the parking…

You are on floor $2$ of a shopping center. You go up $3$ floors to get to the food court and then go down $6$ floors to reach the parking lot. Which floor is the parking lot on? State each movement using an integer.

Solve
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Nadia has $25$ pesos in her bank account. If the bank charges her an internet bill of $30$ pesos, what will her new balance be? Express the result as an integer.

Nadia has $25$ pesos in her bank account. If the bank charges her an internet bill of $30$ pesos, what will her new balance be? Express the result as an integer.

Solve
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A weather station in Valle Nuevo recorded the following temperature changes over the course of a winter's day: 1. At 8:00, the temperature was $-5\ ^\circ C$. 2. At…

A weather station in Valle Nuevo recorded the following temperature changes over the course of a winter's day:

  1. At 8:00, the temperature was $-5\ ^\circ C$.

  2. At 12:00, it had risen by $8\ ^\circ C$.

  3. At 18:00, it dropped by $4\ ^\circ C$ compared to the previous reading.

  4. At 22:00, it dropped again by another $6\ ^\circ C$.

Write a single mathematical expression using integers that reflects all these changes, and calculate the final temperature at the end of the day.

Solve

Multiplying and dividing: the sign rules

Diagram of the sign rule: same signs give positive and different signs give negative. (+) × (+) = (+) (−) × (−) = (+) (+) × (−) = (−) (−) × (+) = (−) same → positive result different → negative result (the same rule works for division)
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Use the rule of signs to solve these multiplications and divisions: a) $(+4) \times (-3) =$ b) $(-5) \times (-2) =$ c) $(-20) : (+5) =$ d) $(-18) : (-3) =$

Use the rule of signs to solve these multiplications and divisions:

  1. a) $(+4) \times (-3) =$
  2. b) $(-5) \times (-2) =$
  3. c) $(-20) : (+5) =$
  4. d) $(-18) : (-3) =$
Solve
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Find the integer that simultaneously satisfies these three conditions: 1. Its modulus is greater than $5$ and less than $10$. 2. When multiplied by $-3$, the result is a…

Find the integer that simultaneously satisfies these three conditions:

  1. Its modulus is greater than $5$ and less than $10$.

  2. When multiplied by $-3$, the result is a positive number.

  3. If you add its opposite to it, the result is $0$.

Is there more than one possible solution? Justify your answer.

Solve

Distributive property

Multiplying a number by a sum is the same as multiplying it by each addend: $a \cdot (b + c) = a \cdot b + a \cdot c$. In reverse, if two products share a factor, you pull it out as a common factor: $a \cdot b + a \cdot c = a \cdot (b + c)$.

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Apply the distributive property to calculate these expressions in the simplest way possible (factorise out a common factor when necessary): a)…

Apply the distributive property to calculate these expressions in the simplest way possible (factorise out a common factor when necessary):

  1. a) $(-7) \times (+12) + (-7) \times (-2)$
  1. b) $15 \times (-4) - 15 \times (+6)$
  1. c) $(-10) \times (-3) + (-10) \times (+13)$
Solve
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A "trio of integers" is said to be balanced if the sum of the first two multiplied by the third results in $-24$. Determine which of the following trios are balanced by…

A "trio of integers" is said to be balanced if the sum of the first two multiplied by the third results in $-24$.

Determine which of the following trios are balanced by performing the corresponding operations:

  1. a) $(+5, -8, +8)$
  2. b) $(-10, +2, +3)$
  3. c) $(-4, -2, +4)$
Solve

Combined operations

When additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, and parentheses are mixed together, there is a fixed order you must always follow.

Stepped diagram of the order of operations, with the four priority levels from top to bottom. 1. Parentheses and brackets 2. Powers and roots 3. Multiplication and division 4. Addition and subtraction, from left to right

Powers and roots

A power is repeated multiplication: $(-2)^4 = (-2) \times (-2) \times (-2) \times (-2)$. There are four minus signs (an even number), so the result is positive: $(-2)^4 = 16$. On the other hand, $(-2)^3 = -8$ (three minus signs, an odd number).

The square root $\sqrt{25}$ is the positive number that, multiplied by itself, gives $25$. Since $5^2 = 25$, then $\sqrt{25} = 5$.

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Calculate the result of these simple combined operations, respecting the order of operations (remember: multiplication and division first, then addition and…

Calculate the result of these simple combined operations, respecting the order of operations (remember: multiplication and division first, then addition and subtraction):

  1. a) $5 + 2 \times (-3) =$
  2. b) $(-10) : 2 + 8 =$
  3. c) $4 \times 3 - 15 =$
Solve
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Calculate the result of the following combined operations, paying special attention to the order of operations and the rule of signs: a) $15 - (8 - 12) + (-5) \times 2$…

Calculate the result of the following combined operations, paying special attention to the order of operations and the rule of signs:

  1. a) $15 - (8 - 12) + (-5) \times 2$
  1. b) $(-3) \times [(-2) + (-4) \times (-3)]$
  1. c) $24 : (-4) - (-6) : (+3)$
  1. d) $(-10) + (-2) \times (-5) + (-20) : 5$
Solve
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Solve the following combined operations with square brackets. Remember to perform the operations inside the brackets first: a) $18 - [ 2 + (-5) - (4 - 7) ]$ b)…

Solve the following combined operations with square brackets. Remember to perform the operations inside the brackets first:

  1. a) $18 - [ 2 + (-5) - (4 - 7) ]$
  1. b) $[ (-6) \times 2 - (-10) ] : (-2)$
  1. c) $30 : [ (-4) + (-2) \times (-3) ]$
  1. d) $(-5) \times [ 8 - (12 : (-3)) ]$
Solve
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Calculate the value of the following combined expression step by step, strictly respecting the order of operations:…

Calculate the value of the following combined expression step by step, strictly respecting the order of operations:

$(-2)^4 + \sqrt{25} \times (-3) - [(-8 + 10)^3 : (-2^2)]$

Note: Pay attention to the difference between $(-2)^2$ and $-2^2$.

Solve

Word problems and simple equations

In a word problem, first write a single expression that covers all the steps and then solve it using the order of operations. When a number is missing, ask yourself which inverse operation recovers it.

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An inspection drone starts at a height of $15$ meters above bridge level. It makes the movements shown in the diagram (climbing in orange, descending in gray): Using an…

An inspection drone starts at a height of $15$ meters above bridge level. It makes the movements shown in the diagram (climbing in orange, descending in gray):

40m 30m 20m 10m 0m −10m Bridge level +20m −40m +10m 15m 35m −5m 5m

Using an addition of integers, calculate the final position of the drone relative to the bridge. Is it above or below it?

Solve
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On the bank statement of a comic book shop, the following transactions appear: Starting balance: $+\text{RD\$}\ 27\,000$ Payment to supplier: $-\text{RD\$}\ 37\,200$…

On the bank statement of a comic book shop, the following transactions appear:

  • Starting balance: $+\text{RD\$}\ 27\,000$

  • Payment to supplier: $-\text{RD\$}\ 37\,200$

  • Sale of collectible figures: $+\text{RD\$}\ 11\,100$

  • Refund for a defective item: $-\text{RD\$}\ 2\,700$

  • Income from subscriptions: $+\text{RD\$}\ 6\,600$

Calculate the final balance of the account. If the bank charges a fee of $\text{RD\$}\ 900$ if the account goes overdrawn (balance less than 0), will the shop owner have to pay it?

Solve
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A marine research team uses sonar to measure the distance between a rescue helicopter and a submarine conducting depth tests. If the helicopter is at a height of $+120$…

A marine research team uses sonar to measure the distance between a rescue helicopter and a submarine conducting depth tests.

Sea level +120 0 −85 d = ? Helicopter y₁ = +120 m Submarine y₂ = −85 m

If the helicopter is at a height of $+120$ meters and the submarine is at a depth of $-85$ meters:

  1. a) What is the total vertical distance separating them?
  2. b) If the submarine ascends $25$ meters and the helicopter descends $30$ meters, what will the new distance between them be? Express it using operations with integers.
Solve
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A caving team is exploring a deep chasm. They start at the entrance (level $0$ meters). They make the following moves consecutively: 1. They descend $45$ meters. 2. They…

A caving team is exploring a deep chasm. They start at the entrance (level $0$ meters). They make the following moves consecutively:

  1. They descend $45$ meters.

  2. They climb up $12$ meters to set up a base camp.

  3. They descend three times as far as they have just climbed.

  4. Finally, they descend another $18$ meters to the bottom.

Write a single expression using integers reflecting the whole process and calculate the depth of the bottom of the chasm.

0 −10 −20 −30 −40 −50 −60 −70 −80 −90 Entrance of the chasm Level 0 −45 m +12 m Base camp −36 m (3 × 12) −18 m Bottom (? m)
Solve
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In a strategy video game, a player starts with $500$ honor points. The rules are: For each battle won: $+120$ points. For each battle lost: $-150$ points. If they lose…

In a strategy video game, a player starts with $500$ honor points. The rules are:

  • For each battle won: $+120$ points.

  • For each battle lost: $-150$ points.

  • If they lose three battles in a row, they are penalised by doubling their accumulated negative score from those three battles.

If a player wins $2$ battles and then loses $3$ battles in a row, write down the combined operation to calculate their final score and solve it.

Solve
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Find the unknown integer $x$ in each of the following equalities: a) $x \times (-4 + 9) = -25$ b) $(-30) : x + (-12) = -18$ c) $2 \times |x| = 14$ (Find all possible…

Find the unknown integer $x$ in each of the following equalities:

  1. a) $x \times (-4 + 9) = -25$
  1. b) $(-30) : x + (-12) = -18$
  1. c) $2 \times |x| = 14$ (Find all possible solutions for $x$).
Solve
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Place the necessary parentheses and brackets in the following expression so that the final result is exactly equal to $-5$: $-15 + 3 \times -4 - 12 : -6 + 1$

Place the necessary parentheses and brackets in the following expression so that the final result is exactly equal to $-5$:

$-15 + 3 \times -4 - 12 : -6 + 1$

Solve
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Complete the following "Integer Wall". The number in each upper cell must be the result of multiplying the two numbers in the cells supporting it.

Complete the following "Integer Wall". The number in each upper cell must be the result of multiplying the two numbers in the cells supporting it.

× × × −2 ? −3 +10 ? Total
Solve
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Make up a real-life problem that can be solved using the following mathematical expression and then calculate the final result to answer your problem:…

Make up a real-life problem that can be solved using the following mathematical expression and then calculate the final result to answer your problem:

$100 + 4 \times (-15) - 3 \times (10 - 4)$

Solve

Back to the beginning: the diver starts at $-15$ m and goes down $12$ m more, so he ends up at $-15 - 12 = -27$ m.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section