A whole number, from zero to positive or negative infinity is called Integers. I.e.

it is a set of numbers which include zero, positive natural numbers and negative
natural numbers. It is denoted by letter Z.

Z = {…,-2,-1, 0, 1, 2…}

Integers on Number Line

Integers Number Line

Facts about how to Add and Subtract Integers on the Number Line
1. If we add a positive integer, we go to the right.

Add a positive integer, we go to the right

2. If we add a negative integer, we go to the left.

Add a negative integer, we go to the left.

3. If we subtract a positive integer, we go to the left.

Subtract a positive integer, we go to the left.

4. If we subtract a negative integer, we go to the right.

Subtract a negative integer, we go to the right.

The Additive Inverse of an Integer

The additive inverse of 5 is (- 5) and additive inverse of (- 5) is 5.

The Additive Inverse of an Integer

This shows that the number which we add to a number to get zero is the additive
inverse of that number.

Number Additive Inverse

Example

2 + 3 = 5

2+ (-3) = -1

(-2) + 3 = 1

(-2) + (-3) = -5
As you can see that the addition of two integers will always be an integer, hence
integers are closed under addition.

If we have two integers p and q, p + q is an integer.

2. Closure under Subtraction

Example

7 – 2 = 5

7 – (- 2) = 9

- 7 – 2 = – 9

- 7 – (- 2) = – 5

As you can see that the subtraction of two integers will always be an integer,
hence integers are closed under subtraction.

For any two integers p and q, p - q is an integer.

3. Commutative Property
a. If we change the order of the integers while adding then also the result is the
same then it is said that addition is commutative for integers.

For any two integers p and q

p + q = q + p

Example

23 + (-30) = – 7

(-30) + 23 = – 7

There is no difference in answer after changing the order of the numbers.

b. If we change the order of the integers while subtracting then the result is not
the same so subtraction is not commutative for integers.

For any two integers p and q

p – q ≠ q – p will not always equal.

Example

23 - (-30) = 53

(-30) - 23 = -53

The answer is different after changing the order of the numbers.

4. Associative Property
If we change the grouping of the integers while adding in case of more than two
integers and the result is same then we will call it that addition is associative
for integers.
For any three integers, p, q and r

p + (q + r) = (p + q) + r

Example

If there are three integers 3, 4 and 1 and we change the grouping of numbers, then

Associative Property