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# Subtracting Integers

Integers are the numbers which are not represented in the form of either fractions or decimals. Integer is basically a number that does not have decimal part and is not a fraction. The set of integers is notified by $\mathbb{Z}$. The set of integers is a subset of real numbers. It contains natural numbers as well as whole numbers in it. Integers contain whole numbers and negative of natural numbers.

Integers are represented by the following set:
$\mathbb{Z}$ = {..... , -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ....}
All the mathematical operations can be performed on integers. Here, we shall discuss about subtraction operation over integers.

How to Subtract Integers
Subtraction is reverse operation of addition. So, while subtracting an integer from another, add the opposite of second to the first. Following two things should be kept in mind while subtracting integers:

(1) Change the sign of second integer and add it to the first one, as shown below:

(2) The sign of answer is decided on the basis of sign of the bigger number. The resultant integer will have the sign same as the bigger number.

Let us understand this concept with the help of examples:
Example 1: Subtract -4 from 2.
Solution: 2 - (- 4)
According to the rule, reverse the sign of second integer and then add it to first one.
Therefore, 2 - (- 4) = 2 + 4 = 6
Here, both the integers are positive, so result will also be positive.
While representing it on number line, first 2 points forward from zero towards right and then again 4 points forward towards right. In this way, the pointer reaches to 6. This is shown in the following figure:

Example 2: Subtract 4 from 2.
Solution: 2 - 4
According to the rule, reverse the sign of second integer and add it to first one.
Therefore, 2 - 4 = 2 + (-4) = -2
Here, bigger integer is 4 and its sign is negative, so the result will also be negative.
While representing it on number line, first 2 points forward from zero towards right and then 4 points backward towards left. In this way, the pointer reaches to -2. This is shown in the following figure:

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