LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

Earth Science Kick-’em-Jenny is an underwater

volcano in the Caribbean Sea.

Eruptions have caused the volcano to grow. In 1962, the summit elevation of
Kick-’em-Jenny was –235 meters. In 2002, the summit elevation was –182
meters. By how many meters did the elevation of the volcano change? You
will use integer subtraction to answer this question.

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LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

As you can see from the number lines below, the expression 5 – 4 and
5 + (–4) have the same value, 1.

5–4 5 + (–4)

–1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

These equivalent expressions suggest the following rule for subtracting integers.

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LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

Subtracting Integers

Words To subtract an integer, add its opposite.

Numbers 3 – 7 = 3 + (–7) = –4

Algebra a – b = a + (–b)

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LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

EXAMPLE 1 Subtracting Integers

4 – 10 = 4 + (–10) To subtract 10, add its opposite, –10.

= –6 Add 4 and –10.

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LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

EXAMPLE 1 Subtracting Integers

4 – 10 = 4 + (–10) To subtract 10, add its opposite, –10.

= –6 Add 4 and –10.

7 – (–5) = 7 + 5 To subtract –5, add its opposite, 5.

= 12 Add 7 and 5.

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LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

EXAMPLE 1 Subtracting Integers

4 – 10 = 4 + (–10) To subtract 10, add its opposite, –10.

= –6 Add 4 and –10.

7 – (–5) = 7 + 5 To subtract –5, add its opposite, 5.

= 12 Add 7 and 5.

–2 – (–9) = –2 + 9 To subtract –9, add its opposite, 9.

=7 Add –2 and 9.

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LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

EXAMPLE 2 Evaluating Variable Expressions

Evaluate the expression when x = –9.

x – (–40)

SOLUTION

x – (–40) = –9 – (–40) Substitute –9 for x.

= –9 + 40 To subtract –40, add 40.

= 31 Add –9 and 40.

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LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

EXAMPLE 2 Evaluating Variable Expressions

Evaluate the expression when x = –9.

7–x

SOLUTION

7 – x = 7 – (–9) Substitute –9 for x.

=7+9 To subtract –9, add 9.

= 16 Add 7 and 9.

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LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

Evaluating Change You can use subtraction to find the change in a

variable quantity such as elevation or temperature. Subtract the original
value of the quantity from the value after the change.

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LESSON

1.6 Subtracting Integers

EXAMPLE 3 Evaluating Change

By how many meters did the elevation of the volcano Kick-’em-Jenny

change if the elevation in 1962 was –235 meters and –182 meters in
2002? To answer this question, you can subtract the elevation in 1962
from the elevation in 2002. Write a verbal model.

Change in Elevation in Elevation in

= –
elevation 2002 1962

= –182 – (–235) Substitute values.

= –182 + 235 To subtract –235, add 235.

= 53 Add –182 and 235.

The difference is 53, so the summit elevation of Kick-’em-Jenny

ANSWER increased by 53 meters from 1962 to 2002. 10