A Convention for Positive Integers

Subtracting Integers

It is more convenient to write 3 than +3 .

It is customary to write numbers as natural
numbers instead of the symbols for positive
integers.

To subtract an integer, add its opposite.

E.g.

(+ 3) + (+ 4) = (3) + (4) = (7)

or

(+ 3) + (+ 4) = 3 + 4 = 7

E.g.

(+ 4) (+ 5) = (4) (5) = (20)

or

(+ 4) (+ 5) = 4 5 = 20

a.

c.

b.

(+ 3) (+ 4)

(+ 3) ( 4)

= 3 4

= 3+ 4

= 1

=7
d.

( 3) (+ 4)

( 3) ( 4)

= 3 4

= 3 + 4

= 7

=1

Multiplying Integers
The operation for multiplication can be represented using the cross ( ), the dot (),
brackets ( )( ), or the asterisk (*) or () .
E.g.

a.

35

b.

cross

35

c.

dot

3 5 or 3*5

d.

(3)(5)
brackets

asterisk

For each case above, the product is 15.

The dot is used infrequently because it is sometimes confused with a decimal point.
The asterisk is used in mathematics and computing.

6.

Calculate.
a.
d.
g.
j.

2 4 6 + 8
5 + (3) 7 + 2
3(5)
7(3)(0)

m. (42) 6
p.
7.

144
12

b.
e.
h.
k.

3 4 (5)
(8) + (3) (4)
5(4)(2)
(1)(1)( 1)(1)(1)

n. (27) (9)
q.

77
7

c.
f.
i.
l.
o.
r.

6 (7) ( 2)
3 + (6) ( 6) + (2) (5)
7(8)(3)
3(5)(7)

50
25
18

Using the order of operations, calculate each of the following.

a. 4( 7) + 2(5)

45 18
+
+5 3
4( 7) 3( 2)
g.

7
6
j. 8[4 ( 3)]
d.

b. 5(4) 7(10)

16 12

1 3
8( 3)(4) 20( 2)
h.

2
5
k. 3 + 5[8 + ( 6)]
e.

c. 28 (4) 6
f.

7(2)(1) 6(2)

i.

6[2 + (7)]

l.

6( 3 4) 6( 9 + 7)

Expectations: i) simplify numerical expressions involving integers; ii) solve problems requiring numerical answers, using a variety of strategies and tools.
For more activities and resources from the University of Waterloos Faculty of Mathematics, please visit www.cemc.uwaterloo.ca.