Negative numbers: adding and subtracting

The Maths Habit

A counter sits on the star. It moves 3 steps left. Then it moves 5 steps right. Where does it end up?

2 steps to the right of the star

Number line
A line with numbers in order, the same step apart.
−505
Zero
The number in the middle. It is not positive or negative.
Negative number
A number less than zero. It is to the left of zero.
−505
Positive number
A number more than zero. It is to the right of zero.
−505

What number is each dot on?

−10−50510−3
−10−50510−8
−10−505106

−6−5−4−3−2−10123456
plus: right →
land
  1. 1Mark the start.Put a dot on the first number.
  2. 2Pick the way.Plus: jump right.
  3. 3Jump and land.One hop for each step. Write the number you land on.

Work out −3 + 5

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−3
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
2

Work out −6 + 4

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−6
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−2

Work out −3 + 5

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−3
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
2
1Mark the start.2plus: right →3Jump and land.land

Work out −2 + 7

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−2
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
5

Work out −3 + 5

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−3
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
2
1Mark the start.2plus: right →3Jump and land.land

Work out −8 + 3

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−8
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−5

Work out −3 + 5

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−3
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
2
1Mark the start.2plus: right →3Jump and land.land

Work out −4 + 4

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−4
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
0

1Mark the start.2plus: right →3Jump and land.land

1Work out −5 + 2

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−5
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−3

2Work out −1 + 6

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−1
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
5

3Work out −7 + 3

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−7
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−4

4Work out −6 + 9

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−6
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
3

Which way do you jump?

−4 + 3Right →
5 − 8← Left
−2 − 1← Left

−6−5−4−3−2−10123456
← minus: leftplus: right →
land
  1. 1Mark the start.Put a dot on the first number.
  2. 2Pick the way.Plus: jump right. Minus: jump left.
  3. 3Jump and land.One hop for each step. Write the number you land on.

Work out 2 − 6

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
2
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−4

Work out −1 − 4

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−1
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−5

Work out 2 − 6

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
2
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−4
1Mark the start.2plus: right →← minus: left3Jump and land.land

Work out 4 − 7

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
4
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−3

Work out 2 − 6

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
2
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−4
1Mark the start.2plus: right →← minus: left3Jump and land.land

Work out −3 − 5

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
−3
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−8

Work out 2 − 6

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
2
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−4
1Mark the start.2plus: right →← minus: left3Jump and land.land

It is 1 °C. It gets 6 degrees colder. What is the temperature now?

−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678
1Mark the start.
1
2Pick the way.
← leftright →
3Jump and land.
−5

Negative numbers: adding and subtracting worksheet, page 1

Negative numbers: adding and subtracting worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

Is it right?
Thumbs up: right. Thumbs down: wrong.

  1. −5 + 3 = −2

    Right

  2. −5 + 3 = −8

    Wrong: plus jumps right

  3. 1 − 4 = −3

    Right

  4. −2 − 3 = 1

    Wrong: minus jumps left

  5. −6 + 6 = 0

    Right

  1. Work out −12 − 9

    −21

  2. How many degrees warmer is 5 °C than −3 °C?

    8 degrees

  3. Find the missing number. 3 − ? = −5

    8

  1. Work out −5 + 7

    2
    −8−7−6−5−4−3−2−10123456781Mark the start.2Pick the way.3Jump and land.−5← leftright →

  2. Work out 1 − 4

    −3
    −8−7−6−5−4−3−2−10123456781Mark the start.2Pick the way.3Jump and land.← leftright →

  3. Work out −2 − 6

    −8
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