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Study Guides > Prealgebra

Simplifying and Evaluating Expressions With Integers

Learning Outcomes

  • Simplify integer expressions involving subtraction
  • Substitute and simplify integer expressions involving subtraction
Now that you have seen subtraction modeled with color counters, we can move on to performing subtraction of integers without the models.
  • Subtract [latex]-23 - 7[/latex]. Think: We start with [latex]23[/latex] negative counters. We have to subtract [latex]7[/latex] positives, but there are no positives to take away. So we add [latex]7[/latex] neutral pairs to get the [latex]7[/latex] positives. Now we take away the [latex]7[/latex] positives. So what’s left? We have the original [latex]23[/latex] negatives plus [latex]7[/latex] more negatives from the neutral pair. The result is [latex]30[/latex] negatives. [latex]-23 - 7=-30[/latex] Notice, that to subtract [latex]\text{7,}[/latex] we added [latex]7[/latex] negatives.
  • Subtract [latex]30-\left(-12\right)[/latex]. Think: We start with [latex]30[/latex] positives. We have to subtract [latex]12[/latex] negatives, but there are no negatives to take away. So we add [latex]12[/latex] neutral pairs to the [latex]30[/latex] positives. Now we take away the [latex]12[/latex] negatives. What’s left? We have the original [latex]30[/latex] positives plus [latex]12[/latex] more positives from the neutral pairs. The result is [latex]42[/latex] positives. [latex]30-\left(-12\right)=42[/latex] Notice that to subtract [latex]-12[/latex], we added [latex]12[/latex].
While we may not always use the counters, especially when we work with large numbers, practicing with them first gave us a concrete way to apply the concept, so that we can visualize and remember how to do the subtraction without the counters. Have you noticed that subtraction of signed numbers can be done by adding the opposite? You will often see the idea, the Subtraction Property, written as follows:

Subtraction Property

Subtracting a number is the same as adding it's opposite.

[latex]a-b=a+(-b)[/latex]

  Look at these two examples. This figure has two columns. The first column has 6 minus 4. Underneath, there is a row of 6 blue circles, with the first 4 separated from the last 2. The first 4 are circled. Under this row there is 2. The second column has 6 plus negative 4. Underneath there is a row of 6 blue circles with the first 4 separated from the last 2. The first 4 are circled. Under the first four is a row of 4 red circles. Under this there is 2. We see that [latex]6 - 4[/latex] gives the same answer as [latex]6+\left(-4\right)[/latex]. Of course, when we have a subtraction problem that has only positive numbers, like the first example, we just do the subtraction. We already knew how to subtract [latex]6 - 4[/latex] long ago. But knowing that [latex]6 - 4[/latex] gives the same answer as [latex]6+\left(-4\right)[/latex] helps when we are subtracting negative numbers.  

example

Simplify:
  1. [latex]13 - 8\text{ and }13+\left(-8\right)[/latex]
  2. [latex]-17 - 9\text{ and }-17+\left(-9\right)[/latex]
Solution:
1.
[latex]13 - 8[/latex] and [latex]13+\left(-8\right)[/latex]
Subtract to simplify. [latex]13 - 8=5[/latex]
Add to simplify. [latex]13+\left(-8\right)=5[/latex]
Subtracting [latex]8[/latex] from [latex]13[/latex] is the same as adding [latex]−8[/latex] to [latex]13[/latex].
2.
[latex]-17 - 9[/latex] and [latex]-17+\left(-9\right)[/latex]
Subtract to simplify. [latex]-17 - 9=-26[/latex]
Add to simplify. [latex]-17+\left(-9\right)=-26[/latex]
Subtracting [latex]9[/latex] from [latex]−17[/latex] is the same as adding [latex]−9[/latex] to [latex]−17[/latex].
Now you can try a similar problem.   Now look what happens when we subtract a negative. This figure has two columns. The first column has 8 minus negative 5. Underneath, there is a row of 13 blue circles. The first 8 are separated from the next 5. Under the last 5 blue circles there is a row of 5 red circles. They are circled. Under this there is 13. The second column has 8 plus 5. Underneath there is a row of 13 blue circles. The first 8 are separated from the last 5. Under this there is 13. We see that [latex]8-\left(-5\right)[/latex] gives the same result as [latex]8+5[/latex]. Subtracting a negative number is like adding a positive. In the next example, we will see more examples of this concept.

example

Simplify:
  1. [latex]9-\left(-15\right)\text{ and }9+15[/latex]
  2. [latex]-7-\left(-4\right)\text{ and }-7+4[/latex]

Answer: Solution:

1.
[latex]9-\left(-15\right)[/latex] and [latex]9+15[/latex]
Subtract to simplify. [latex]9-\left(-15\right)=-24[/latex]
Add to simplify. [latex]9+15=24[/latex]
Subtracting [latex]−15[/latex] from [latex]9[/latex] is the same as adding [latex]15[/latex] to [latex]9[/latex].
2.
[latex]-7-\left(-4\right)[/latex] and [latex]-7+4[/latex]
Subtract to simplify. [latex]-7-\left(-4\right)=-3[/latex]
Add to simplify. [latex]-7+4=-3[/latex]
Subtracting [latex]−4[/latex] from [latex]−7[/latex] is the same as adding [latex]4[/latex] to [latex]−7[/latex].

Now you can try a similar problem. The table below summarizes the four different scenarios we encountered in the previous examples, and how you would use counters to simplify.
Subtraction of Integers
[latex]5 - 3[/latex] [latex]-5-\left(-3\right)[/latex]
[latex]2[/latex] [latex]-2[/latex]
[latex]2[/latex] positives [latex]2[/latex] negatives
When there would be enough counters of the color to take away, subtract.
[latex]-5 - 3[/latex] [latex]5-\left(-3\right)[/latex]
[latex]-8[/latex] [latex]8[/latex]
[latex]5[/latex] negatives, want to subtract [latex]3[/latex] positives [latex]5[/latex] positives, want to subtract [latex]3[/latex] negatives
need neutral pairs need neutral pairs
When there would not be enough of the counters to take away, add neutral pairs.
In our next example we show how to subtract a negative with two digit numbers.

example

Simplify: [latex]-74-\left(-58\right)[/latex].

Answer: Solution:

We are taking [latex]58[/latex] negatives away from [latex]74[/latex] negatives. [latex]-74-\left(-58\right)[/latex]
Subtract. [latex]-16[/latex]

Now you can try a similar problem. In the following video we show another example of subtracting two digit integers. https://youtu.be/IfiN-mJZu2E Now let's increase the complexity of the examples a little bit. We will use the order of operations to simplify terms in parentheses before we subtract from left to right.

example

Simplify: [latex]7-\left(-4 - 3\right)-9[/latex].

Answer: Solution: We use the order of operations to simplify this expression, performing operations inside the parentheses first. Then we subtract from left to right.

Simplify inside the parentheses first. [latex]7-\left(-4 - 3\right)-9[/latex]
Subtract from left to right. [latex]7-\left(-7\right)-9[/latex]
Subtract. [latex]14--9[/latex]
[latex]5[/latex]

Now you try it. Watch the following video to see more examples of simplifying integer expressions that involve subtraction. https://youtu.be/mDkSpz0BPPc Now we will add another operation to an expression. Because multiplication and division come before addition and subtraction, we will multiply, then subtract.

example

Simplify: [latex]3\cdot 7 - 4\cdot 7 - 5\cdot 8[/latex].

Answer: Solution: We use the order of operations to simplify this expression. First we multiply, and then subtract from left to right.

Multiply first. [latex]3\cdot 7 - 4\cdot 7 - 5\cdot 8[/latex]
Subtract from left to right. [latex]21--28--40[/latex]
Subtract. [latex]--7--40[/latex]
[latex]--47[/latex]

Now you try. Watch the following video to see another example of simplifying an integer expression involving multiplication and subtraction. https://youtu.be/42Su4r5UmoE

Evaluate Variable Expressions with Integers

Now we’ll practice evaluating expressions that involve subtracting negative numbers as well as positive numbers.  

example

Evaluate [latex]x - 4\text{ when}[/latex]
  1. [latex]x=3[/latex]
  2. [latex]x=-6[/latex].

Answer: Solution: 1. To evaluate [latex]x - 4[/latex] when [latex]x=3[/latex] , substitute [latex]3[/latex] for [latex]x[/latex] in the expression.

[latex]x--4[/latex]
[latex]\text{Substitute }\color{red}{3}\text{ for }x[/latex] [latex]\color{red}{3}--4[/latex]
Subtract. [latex]--1[/latex]
2. To evaluate [latex]x - 4[/latex] when [latex]x=-6[/latex], substitute [latex]-6[/latex] for [latex]x[/latex] in the expression.
[latex]x--4[/latex]
[latex]\text{Substitute }\color{red}{--6}\text{ for }x[/latex] [latex]\color{red}{--6}--4[/latex]
Subtract. [latex]--10[/latex]

Now you try. In the next example, we will subtract a positive and a negative.

example

Evaluate [latex]20-z\text{ when}[/latex]
  1. [latex]z=12[/latex]
  2. [latex]z=-12[/latex]

Answer: Solution: 1. To evaluate [latex]20-z\text{ when }z=12[/latex], substitute [latex]12[/latex] for [latex]z[/latex] in the expression.

[latex]20--z[/latex]
[latex]\text{Substitute }\color{red}{12}\text{ for }z[/latex] [latex]20--\color{red}{12}[/latex]
Subtract. [latex]8[/latex]
2. To evaluate [latex]20-z\text{ when }z=-12,\text{ substitute }-12\text{ for }z\text{in the expression.}[/latex]
[latex]20--z[/latex]
[latex]\text{Substitute }\color{red}{--12}\text{ for }z[/latex] [latex]20--(\color{red}{--12})[/latex]
Subtract. [latex]32[/latex]

Now you try.  

Licenses & Attributions

CC licensed content, Shared previously

  • Ex: Subtract Two Digit Integers (Pos-Neg) Formal Rules and Number Line (Pos Sum). Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Ex 1: Evaluate Expressions Involving Integer Subtraction. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Ex: Evaluate an Expression Involving Integer Operations. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Question ID: 145193, 145195, 145197, 145199, 145200, 145203, 145205. License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright.

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