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Practise Adding and Subtracting Positive and Negative Numbers Mentally

In this worksheet, students will add and subtract positive and negative numbers in their heads.

'Practise Adding and Subtracting Positive and Negative Numbers Mentally' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Year:  Year 8 Maths worksheets

Curriculum topic:   Number

Curriculum subtopic:   Use Four Operations for All Numbers

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

The calculations in this activity should be done in your head before writing down the answers.

 

It might seem tough, but it's really good practice for solving problems quickly!

 

It is really important to learn the rule for negative numbers, so let's recap it here.

 

When two signs are written next to each other:

If the two signs are different, they make a negative sign.

If the two signs are the same, they make a positive sign.

 

This means that:

+ and - make a negative

- and + make a negative

+ and + make a positive

- and - make a positive


 

For example, when adding a negative number, you have + and - together, so the answer will be negative:


7 + -9 = 7 - 9 = -2

 

When subtracting a negative number, you have - and - together, so the answer will be positive:


3 - -5 = 3 + 5 = 8

 

So, let's have a look at some tough ones!

 

Examples

(-9) - (-8) = (-9) + 8 = 8 - 9 = -1

82 + (-6) = 82 - 6 = 76

(-5) - 5 = -10

 

boy with headache

 

Has your brain given up? Don't panic, we'll go through them together.

 

Let's get started!!

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