Subtract Integers: example 3.35

Model each subtraction expression:

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Model each subtraction expression.

How did it go?

ⓐ We start with 2 positives.
We need to take away 8 positives, but we have only 2.
Add neutral pairs until there are 8 positives to take away.
Then take away eight positives.
Find the number of counters that are left. There are 6 negatives.
	$2 - 8 = −6$

ⓑ We start with 3 negatives.
We need to take away 8 negatives, but we have only 3.
Add neutral pairs until there are 8 negatives to take away.
Then take away the 8 negatives.
Find the number of counters that are left. There are 5 positives.
	$−3 - (−8) = 5$

ⓐ We start with 2 positives.
We need to take away 8 positives, but we have only 2.
Add neutral pairs until there are 8 positives to take away.
Then take away eight positives.
Find the number of counters that are left. There are 6 negatives.
	$2 - 8 = −6$

ⓑ We start with 3 negatives.
We need to take away 8 negatives, but we have only 3.
Add neutral pairs until there are 8 negatives to take away.
Then take away the 8 negatives.
Find the number of counters that are left. There are 5 positives.
	$−3 - (−8) = 5$