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Negative numbers are numbers that are less than zero. They are typically written with a minus sign in front of them, like -6 or -8. Understanding negative numbers is crucial in working with integer operations. It's important to note that:
- The number line extends infinitely in both positive and negative directions.
- The closer a negative number is to zero, the larger it is. For example, -1 is greater than -5.
- Negative numbers follow specific rules when added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided.
These numbers often appear in real-life situations, such as temperatures below freezing, bank account overdrafts, or depths below sea level.

Integer subtraction can initially seem tricky, especially when it involves negatives. In general, subtracting integers is about finding the difference between numbers on the number line.
Here are a few tips to simplify the process:
- When you subtract a positive number, you move to the left on the number line.
- When you subtract a negative number, you move to the right, which is the same as adding the absolute value of that number.
In our example, subtracting 8 from -6 seems complicated, but you can make it simpler by thinking of subtraction as adding a negative. This way, you can rewrite -6 - 8 as -6 + (-8). Changing subtraction into the addition of negatives helps to leverage addition rules, making arithmetic more manageable.

Adding negative numbers is quite simple if you follow the rules closely. When adding two negative numbers, we sum their absolute values and add a negative sign to the result.
For example, in the equation \(-6 + (-8)\):
- Find the absolute values: The absolute value of -6 is 6, and the absolute value of -8 is 8.
- Add the absolute values: 6 + 8 = 14.
- Finally, place the negative sign before the result: -14.
This means \(-6 + (-8) = -14\). Adding negatives essentially moves you further left on the number line, deepening the 'negative' or the debt. By following these steps, you can easily solve problems involving the addition of negative numbers.