Free Adding and Subtracting Integers Practice Worksheet for Grades 6–8
Adding and subtracting integers is one of those math skills that seems scary at first but actually makes perfect sense once you get the hang of it. Whether your students are working through 6th or 7th grade math or getting ready for high school algebra, understanding positive integers and negative integers is going to make everything else so much easier. Plus, these numbers show up everywhere in real life, which makes teaching them way more fun than you’d expect.
Why Integer Operations Matter
You know what’s cool about negative numbers? They’re already part of your students’ lives, even if they don’t realize it.
When the weather forecast says it’ll drop from 8 degrees to negative 5, that’s subtraction operations in action. When a football team gains 12 yards and then loses 7, that’s integer addition. When someone’s bank account goes from $25 to negative values after buying lunch, well… that’s a math lesson and a life lesson rolled into one.
Once students see these connections, working with positive integers and negative values stops being abstract classroom concepts and starts being useful tools for understanding their world. This knowledge of integers becomes an essential skill that prepares them for rational numbers and more advanced concepts in high school.
Teaching Strategies That Work
The Number Line Approach: This is probably the most helpful visual tool for working with negative numbers and positive integers. Positive integers go right, negative integers go left, and zero sits in the middle like a referee. When you’re adding, you move right. When you’re subtracting, you move left. Simple as that.
Keep-Change-Change for Subtraction: This little trick saves so much confusion with subtraction problems. Keep the first number the same, change the minus sign to a plus, and change the sign of the second number. Suddenly −7 − (−3) becomes −7 + 3, which is much easier to handle. It’s a great way to help students with their adding and subtracting integers practice.
Real-World Examples and Word Problems: Instead of just throwing numbers at students, try wrapping them in situations they understand. “You owe your sister $8, but then you find $5 in your jacket pocket” is way more interesting than “−8 + 5.” Word problems help students see how these subtraction operations connect to their daily experiences.
What’s in This Math Worksheet
This free worksheet gives you 36 problems that cover all the basic operations of adding and subtracting integers. The problems are mixed up on purpose – no boring patterns here. Students will work through everything from simple additions with positive integers like 6 + (−2) to trickier subtraction problems like −15 − (−8).
The variety keeps students thinking instead of just following a formula, which means they understand what they’re doing instead of just memorizing steps. Each problem challenges their critical thinking while building confidence with both whole numbers and rational numbers.
An answer key is included to quickly check student work and identify areas where they might need extra practice.
Perfect For
This worksheet works great for middle school students, especially those in 6th or 7th grade who are learning integer operations for the first time or need extra practice. It’s also handy for:
- Homeschooling families looking for solid practice materials
- Teachers who need something for math centers or homework
- Tutors working with students on integer concepts
- Anyone preparing for test prep on integer operations
- Students who need to strengthen their understanding before moving on to more complex word problems
Get Your Free Worksheet
Ready to help your students master integers? Download the worksheet below and watch them build confidence with positive and negative numbers. Getting the correct answer on these problems will help prepare them for more advanced concepts.
Looking for more middle school math resources and extra practice materials? Check out these additional integer worksheets:
