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Integers.

By sitinur · Mathematics · Grade 7 · Published Oct 22, 2026 · New

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1. Integers

Positive and negative numbers in everyday life • 15–20 minutes

Speaker notes: Integers include positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero. Today’s examples use temperature, money, addition, and subtraction.

2. Positive and Negative Integers

  • Positive integers are greater than zero: 1, 2, 3
  • Negative integers are less than zero: -1, -2, -3
  • Zero is neither positive nor negative
  • Temperature: 4°C is above zero; -4°C is below zero
  • Money: RM5 means you have RM5; -RM5 can show owing RM5

Speaker notes: A number line helps show that positive numbers are to the right of zero and negative numbers are to the left. Ask what a temperature of -2°C tells us about the temperature compared with zero.

3. Adding Integers

  • Same signs: add the numbers and keep the sign
  • Example: 3 + 2 = 5
  • Example: -3 + (-2) = -5
  • Different signs: subtract; keep the sign of the number farther from zero
  • Example: -6 + 4 = -2

Speaker notes: For different signs, compare how far each number is from zero: 6 is farther than 4, so the answer to -6 + 4 is negative. Check the examples on a number line if the signs feel confusing.

4. Subtracting Integers

  • Change subtraction to adding the opposite number
  • Keep the first number; change − to +; change the second number’s sign
  • Example: 5 − 2 = 5 + (−2) = 3
  • Example: 3 − 7 = 3 + (−7) = −4
  • Example: −2 − (−5) = −2 + 5 = 3

Speaker notes: The key step is to rewrite subtraction as addition of the opposite. In the last example, subtracting negative 5 becomes adding positive 5.

5. Choose the Correct Answer

  1. Which is a negative integer? A) 6 B) 0 C) −3 D) 2
  2. The temperature is −2°C and rises by 5°C. What is it now? A) −7°C B) −3°C C) 3°C D) 7°C
  3. What is −4 + (−3)? A) −7 B) −1 C) 1 D) 7
  4. What is 6 + (−9)? A) −15 B) −3 C) 3 D) 15
  5. What is 4 − (−2)? A) 2 B) −2 C) 6 D) −6

Speaker notes: Each question has one correct answer. Encourage students to show the calculation, especially when deciding whether to add or subtract the numbers.

6. Answers and Summary

  • Answers: 1 C, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C
  • Positive integers are greater than zero; negative integers are less than zero
  • For addition, use the signs to decide whether to add or subtract
  • For subtraction, add the opposite
  • Goal: answer at least 4 of the 5 questions correctly

Speaker notes: Review any question that was difficult by writing the calculation step by step. Remember: subtracting a number is the same as adding its opposite.

  1. Which number is a negative integer?

    • a) 0
    • b) 7
    • c) 4
    • d) -3 ✓ (correct answer) Explanation: -3 is less than zero, so it is a negative integer. Zero is neither positive nor negative.
  2. What is -4 + (-2)?

    • a) 6
    • b) 2
    • c) -2
    • d) -6 ✓ (correct answer) Explanation: Both integers are negative, so add 4 and 2 and keep the negative sign. The answer is -6.
  3. What is 5 - (-3)?

    • a) -2
    • b) 8 ✓ (correct answer)
    • c) -8
    • d) 2 Explanation: Subtracting a negative is the same as adding its opposite: 5 - (-3) = 5 + 3 = 8.
  4. Put the steps for solving -2 - (-5) in the correct order.

    • Correct order: Keep the first number: -2. → Change subtraction to addition. → Change -5 to its opposite, +5. → Calculate: -2 + 5 = 3. Explanation: Rewrite subtraction as addition of the opposite. Then calculate -2 + 5, which equals 3.
  5. Match each integer calculation to its answer.

    • 4 + (-2) — 2
    • -3 + (-2) — -5
    • 5 - 7 — -2 Explanation: Calculate each expression using integer addition and subtraction rules. For example, -2 - (-4) = -2 + 4 = 2.
  6. Complete the sentence about integers.

    • Integers greater than zero are called positive integers / positive numbers. Explanation: Positive integers are the whole numbers greater than zero, such as 1, 2, and 3.
  7. Choose the correct answer to complete the sentence.

    • The temperature is -2°C and rises by 5°C. The new temperature is (3°C / -7°C / -3°C). Explanation: A rise of 5°C means add 5: -2 + 5 = 3°C.
  8. Sort each number into the correct group.

    • Positive integers: 1, 6, 12
    • Negative integers: -2, -5, -9
    • Zero: 0 Explanation: Positive integers are greater than zero, negative integers are less than zero, and zero belongs in its own group.
  9. Decide whether each statement is true or false.

    • A negative integer is less than zero. (true)
    • Zero is a positive integer. (false)
    • -6 + 2 = -4. (true)
    • 3 - 5 = 2. (false) Explanation: Negative integers are below zero, and zero is neither positive nor negative. Also, -6 + 2 = -4, while 3 - 5 = -2.
  10. Calculate: -6 + 9

  • Answer: 3 Explanation: The signs are different, so subtract 6 from 9 and keep the positive sign. The answer is 3.

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