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How Do You Add Integers Using a Number Line?

Use a number line to find the sum of 6 + 3, -6 + 3, and -6 + (-3).

Summary

  1. For all of these problems, start by finding the first integer on the number line
  2. A plus sign after the integer tells us to jump right and a negative sign tells us to jump left
  3. The integer after the sign tells us how many units to move. If this number is negative then we have to reverse our direction!
  4. So, +3 means jump 3 units to the right
  5. CAREFUL! +(-3) means move negative 3 units right, or 3 units left. The minus sign in front of the 3 flips our direction around!

Notes

    1. Because we're adding positive 3, we jump 3 units to the right from 6, and land on our answer!
    1. Because we're adding positive 3, we jump 3 units to the right from 6, and land on our answer!
    1. This one is tricky, because we are adding a negative number
    1. The plus sign told us to jump right, but the minus sign in the 3 flips us around!