How to Add Negative Integers

Positive and Negative

• 1

  Add a negative integer to another number. For this example, let the expression be -7 + 8.

• 2

  Switch the places of the negative integer and the positive number if the negative integer comes first in the expression. In this example, -7 comes first in the expression -7 + 8. Moving the integer to the end of the expression results in 8 + -7.

• 3

  Drop the negative sign from the negative integer and change the addition sign to subtraction. For this example, 8 + -7 becomes 8 - 7.

• 4

  Solve the expression by normal subtraction. Concluding this example, 8 - 7 equals 1.

Negative and Negative

• 5

  Add two negative integers together. For this example, the expression will be -3 + -4.

• 6

  Drop the negative signs from the numbers and add normally. For this example, -3 + -4 becomes 3 + 4, which when calculated is 7.

• 7

  Add a negative sign to the answer. Concluding this example, 7 becomes -7. The answer to -3 + -4 is -7.