As we know that when a smaller whole number is subtracted from larger whole number we get a whole number but what about etc...? Clearly there are no whole numbers to represent them. So, there is a need to extend our whole number system to represent the above differences. Corresponding to natural number , we introduce new numbers denoted by . , respectively such that , and so on. The oppositeness of two quantities may be indicated by representing one as a positive and the other as a negative number. We say that -1 and 1 are the opposites of each other; -2 and 2 are the opposites of each other; -3 and 3 are the opposites of each other, and so on.
Integers were introduced by Arbermouth Holst in 1563. Numbers greater than 0 are called positive numbers. Extending the number line to the left of 0 allows us to picture negative numbers those are less than 0 . When a single + sign or no sign is in front of a number, the number is a positive number. When a single - sign is in front of a number, the number is a negative number. -5 indicates "negative five". 5 and +5 indicates "positive five". The number 0 is neither positive nor negative.
Integers can be represented on a number line. The symbol for integer is Z and Z stands for Zahlen which is German word. The number line shows that every integer has an opposite number except ' 0 '. The numbers .... are positive numbers, denoted by +Z . The numbers ..... are negative numbers, denoted by . The positive and negative integers together with 0 are integers, denoted by Z or I . thus
Number line can be used to compare the values of two integers.
(i) On a horizontal number line, an integer is greater than the integer on its left. (ii) On a horizontal number line, an integer is less than the integer on its right.
(i) On a vertical number line, an integer is greater than the integer below it. (ii) On a vertical number line, an integer is less than the integer above it.
(i) Number lines can be used to arrange the order of integers in increasing or decreasing order. (ii) The value of integers on a horizontal number line increases from left to right and decreases from right to left.
Negative numbers were finally accepted into the number line in the nineteenth century.
A positive or negative number is used to denote
I. An increase or decrease in value For e.g., (i) Rs. 70 withdrawn is denoted by -Rs. 70. (ii) Rs. 70 deposited is denoted by + Rs. 70.
II. Values more than zero or less than zero For e.g., (i) denotes a temperature that is below . (ii) denotes a temperature that is above .
III. A positive direction or a negative direction (opposite direction) For e.g., (i) 5 m denotes a direction 5 m to the right. (ii) -5 m denotes a direction 5 m to the left.
IV. Position above or below sea level
You know how to use the number line to add whole numbers. You can also use the number line in the same way to add positive and negative numbers. (i) Adding two positive integers. For e.g., add 3 and 2
(ii) Adding two negative integers For e.g., add - 3 and - 2
(iii) Adding a positive integer and a negative integer For e.g., add - 2 and 5
Rule 1: To add two integers of like signs, find the sum of their absolute values and place the common sign before the sum. E.g.
Rule 2: To add two integers of unlike signs, find the difference of their absolute values and place the sign of the integer which has the larger absolute value before this difference. E.g. E.g.
General mistake by student
If and are two integers then is equal to , i.e., to subtract from , change the sign of and add to . Rule: (i) Change the sign of the subtrahend. (ii) Add by the rules for adding integers.
In general, 'a-b' means the displacement from the point of to the point of . Eg. (i)
(ii)
If is any number, then The sign of the number inside the brackets remains unchanged if there is a positive sign before it. The sign of the number inside the bracket changes if there is a negative sign before it.
If and are three integers then and The sum of an integer and its opposite is 0 . Thus, if is an integer then a and -a are called opposites or negatives or additive inverses of each other.
Let be an integer then is called the successor of a and is called the predecessor of a. Eg. The successor of -18 is and the predecessor of .
Use a number line to answer the following questions. (i) Which number shall we reach if we move 5 numbers to the left of 3? (ii) Which number shall we reach if we move 6 numbers to the right of -3 ?
Fill in the blanks by the appropriate symbol ' ' or ' ' in each of the following cases. (i) 0 0...... 3 (ii) -7...... 0 (iii) 7......-5 (vi) -3 ......-8
Represent the integers on the number line.
Write the numbers in the following situations with appropriate sign. (i) 100 m below sea level (ii) A gain of Rs. 600
Write the opposite of the following: (i) Withdrawn of Rs. 1000 (ii) 50 km North (iii) temperature falls (iv) Won by 2 seconds
Add the following : (i) (ii) (iii)
Add the following : (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii)
(i) Find the additive inverse of 70 and -1002. (ii) Find the successor and predecessor of . (iii) Find an integer a such that (a) (b)
Find the sum of the successor and additive inverse of 452.
Shyam has overdrawn his checking account by Rs.38. The bank debited him Rs. 20 for an overdraft fee. Later, he deposited Rs.150. What is his current balance? Explanation Total amount deposited= Rs. 150 Amount overdrew by Shyam= Rs. 38 Debit amount [Debit is represented as negative integer] Amount charged by bank= Rs. 20 Debit amount Total amount debited Current balance= Total deposit + Total Debit [Subtract and give the sign of greater number] Hence, the current balance is Rs. 92.
Anna is a microbiology student. She was doing research on optimum temperature for the survival of different strains of bacteria. Studies showed that bacteria need optimum temperature of while bacteria Y need optimum temperature of . What is the temperature difference?
A submarine submerges at the rate of . If it descends from above the sea level, how long will it take to reach 250 m below sea level?
The diagram below shows a pendulum tied to a string. (i) When the pendulum was released from the table, it dropped to a height of 80 cm below the table. It was then pulled 35 cm up. How far is the pendulum from the table now? (ii)The temperature of a town is at night. During the day, the temperature increases by . What is the temperature of the town during the day?
Subtract: (i) - 8 from 5 (ii) 8 from 5 (iii) - 8 from - 5 (iv) 8 from - 5
Subtract the sum of 837 and from the sum of and 792 .
The sum of two integers is . If one of them is , determine the other.
Find the value of .
Find the value of .
(Session 2025 - 26)