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🔢 7th grade math · Counting & Numbers

Add and subtract negatives

Think money. A negative number means you owe. Same signs: add the sizes, keep the sign. Different signs: subtract the sizes. The bigger size wins the sign. Write the sign of your answer first, then figure out the number.

Worked example

−3 + (−4) = ?
Answer: −7
Same signs, so the answer is negative. Add the sizes: 3 + 4 = 7. Answer: −7.
−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101−3−7

For grown-ups: Add/subtract integers and rationals on a number line; additive inverse. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 7.NS.A.1
What this practises, for teachers

Practices add/subtract integers and rationals on a number line; additive inverse (7.NS.A.1). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

▶ Practise it

For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

More printables, with answer keys, for this grade:

Try three

  1. 4 + (−5) = ?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: −1
    Different signs, so subtract the sizes: 5 − 4 = 1. 5 is the bigger size and it is negative, so the answer is negative. Answer: −1.
    −2−10123454−1
  2. 11 + (−8) = ?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 3
    Different signs, so subtract the sizes: 11 − 8 = 3. 11 is the bigger size and it is positive, so the answer is positive. Answer: 3.
    −10123456789101112113
  3. −26 + 26 = ?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 0
    A number plus its opposite is always 0.
    −25−20−15−10−50−260

Before and after

Learn first: Order and absolute value (6th)

Comes next: Multiply and divide negatives (7th)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Add and subtract negatives (7th grade)

  1. −1 + 1 = ?
  2. 2 + (−8) = ?
  3. 9 + (−8) = ?
  4. −2 + (−4) = ?
  5. 3 + (−2) = ?
  6. −5 + (−12) = ?
  7. −12 + 7 = ?
  8. −8 + 18 = ?
  9. −8 + (−2) = ?
  10. −1 + 19 = ?
  11. −11 + 25 = ?
  12. −6 + (−1) = ?

Answer key

  1. 0
  2. −6
  3. 1
  4. −6
  5. 1
  6. −17
  7. −5
  8. 10
  9. −10
  10. 18
  11. 14
  12. −7

More 7th grade skills: all 7th grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.