Subtracting integers using numberline

Let us learn how to subtract integers in the number line: The first number in the expression tells you the initial position, the second number tells the number of ‘jumps’ you need to make in the number line and, the minus sign tells the direction of the jump which is to the left of the first number. For example to subtract 3 from 2, (in symbol, 2 – 3), you will end at -1 after jumping 3 units to the left of 2.

The problem arises when you will take away a negative number, e.g., 2- (-3). For the process to work, the negative sign is to be interpreted as “do the opposite” and this means jump to the right instead of to the left, by 3 units. This process is also symbolized by 2 + 3. This makes 2 – (-3) and 2 + 3 equivalent representations of the same number and are therefore equivalent processes.
1. the interpretation of the operation sign (to the left for minus, to the right for plus);

2. the meaning of the numbers (the number your are subtracting as jumps, the number from which you are starting the jumps from as initial position);

3. the meaning of the negative sign as do the opposite of subtraction which is addition, and;

4. finding an expression that also represents the process in the case of taking away a negative integer

Hope the above explanation helped you.