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Grade 7, Operations

Subtract integers

Subtract positive and negative numbers by adding the opposite.

Three levels

One skill, rising difficulty

Each sheet carries one level. The three are the same skill at rising difficulty, each named for what it practises.

Level 1: Subtract a positive number
Subtract.
Level 2: Subtract a negative number
Subtract.
Level 3: Subtract any integer, from −20 to 20
Subtract.

Worked example

How the sheet explains it

The helper printed at the top of each sheet: one solved example and the steps a student follows, before the first question. Every number sentence in it is proven by the same checker as the answer key.

Level 1: Subtract a positive number

3 − 8 = −5

  1. To subtract, add the opposite: 3 − 8 = 3 + (−8).
  2. The signs are different, so take the smaller size (how far it is from 0) from the larger: 8 − 3 = 5.
  3. −8 has the larger size, so the answer is negative: 3 + (−8) = −5.
  4. Same signs: add the sizes and keep the sign. −6 − 2 = −6 + (−2) = −8.

Level 2: Subtract a negative number

−3 − (−8) = 5

  1. To subtract, add the opposite: −3 − (−8) = −3 + 8.
  2. The signs are different, so take the smaller size (how far it is from 0) from the larger: 8 − 3 = 5.
  3. 8 has the larger size, so the answer is positive: −3 + 8 = 5.
  4. Check on a number line: start at −8, the number taken away. It takes 5 steps right to reach −3.

Level 3: Subtract any integer, from −20 to 20

−12 − 7 = −19

  1. To subtract, add the opposite: −12 − 7 = −12 + (−7).
  2. Same signs: add the sizes (how far each is from 0) and keep the sign. 12 + 7 = 19, so −12 + (−7) = −19.
  3. Different signs: take the smaller size from the larger, and keep the sign of the larger size. 4 + (−15) = −11.

Goes with

Reference sheets

One-page helpers a student keeps beside this sheet:

  • Integers

Every reference, facts and support sheet is listed in the worksheet catalogue.

In the BC curriculum

Content standards

The British Columbia content standard this skill is written for, by the codes used across this site:

  • bc.math.7.c.2

The wording of each standard is on the Province's mathematics curriculum page.

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Back to all worksheets by grade, or read the Grade 7 guide to what this grade learns in British Columbia.