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Integers are groups of numbers that are defined as the union of positive numbers, and negative numbers, and zero is called an Integer. ‘Integer’ comes from the Latin word ‘whole’ or ‘intact’. Integers do not include fractions or decimals. Integers are denoted by the symbol “Z“.

In this article, we have covered everything about what are integers in maths, integers definition, types of integers, etc. to Integers classes 6 and 7.

What is an Integer?

If a set is constructed using all-natural numbers, zero, and negative of natural numbers, then that set is referred to as Integer. Integers range from negative infinity to positive infinity.

  • Natural Numbers: Numbers greater than zero are called positive numbers. Example: 1, 2, 3, 4…
  • Negative of Natural Numbers: Numbers less than zero are called negative numbers. Example: -1, -2, -3, -4…
  • Zero (0) is neither positive nor negative.

Symbol of Integers

Integers are represented by the symbol Z such that,

Z = {… -7, -6, -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…}

Types of Integers

Integers are classified into three categories:

  • Zero (0)
  • Positive Integers (i.e. Natural numbers)
  • Negative Integers (i.e. Additive inverses of Natural Numbers)

Classification-of-IntegersZero

Zero is a unique number that does not belong to the category of positive or negative integers. It is considered a neutral number and is represented as “0” without any plus or minus sign.

Positive Integers

Positive integers, also known as natural numbers or counting numbers, are often represented as Z+. Positioned to the right of zero on the number line, these integers encompass the realm of numbers greater than zero.

Z+ → 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,….

Negative Integers

Negative integers mirror the values of natural numbers but with opposing signs. They are symbolized as Z–. Positioned to the left of zero on the number line, these integers form a collection of numbers less than zero.

Z– → -1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, -12, -13, -14, -15, -16, -17, -18, -19, -20, -21, -22, -23, -24, -25, -26, -27, -28, -29, -30,…..

How to Represent Integers on Number Line?

As we have discussed previously, it is possible to visually represent the three categories of integers – positive, negative, and zero – on a number line.

Zero serves as the midpoint for integers on the number line. Positive integers occupy the right side of zero, while negative integers populate the left side. Refer to the diagram below for a visual representation.

Integers on Number Line

Rules of Integers

Various rules of integers are,

  • Addition of Positive Integers

When two positive integers are added together, the result is always an integer.

  • Addition of Negative Integers

Sum of two negative integers results in an integer.

  • Multiplication of Positive Integers

Product of two positive integers yields an integer.

  • Multiplication of Negative Integers

Similarly, when two negative integers are multiplied, the outcome is an integer.

  • Sum of an Integer and Its Inverse

Sum of integer and its inverse is alays zero.

  • Product of an Integer and Its Reciprocal

Product of an Integer and Its Reciprocal is always 1.

Arithmetic Operations on Integers

Four basic Maths operations performed on integers are:

  • Addition of Integers
  • Subtraction of Integers
  • Multiplication of Integers
  • Division of Integers

Addition of Integers

Addition of integers is similar to finding the sum of two integers. Read the rules discussed below to find the sum of integers.

Example: Add the given integers

  • 3 + (-9)
  • (-5) + (-11)
  • 3 + (-9) = -6
  • (-5) + (-11) = -16

Subtraction of Integers

Subtraction of integers is similar to finding the difference between two integers. Read the rules discussed below to find the difference between integers.

Example: Add the given integers

  • 3 – (-9)
  • (-5) – (-11)
  • 3 – (-9) = 3 + 9 = 12
  • (-5) – (-11) = -5 + 11 = 6

Multiplication of Integers

Multiplication of integers is achieved by following the rule:

  • When both integers have same sign, the product is positive.
  • When both integers have different signs, the product is negative.
Product of Sign Resultant Sign Example
(+) × (+) + 9 × 3 = 27
(+) × (–) 9 × (-3) = -27
(–) × (+) (-9) × 3 = -27
(–) × (–) + (-9) × (-3) = 27

Division of Integers

Division of integers is achieved by following the rule:

  • When both integers have the same sign, the division is positive.
  • When both integers have different signs, the division is negative.
Division of Sign Resultant Sign Example
(+) ÷ (+) + 9 ÷ 3 = 3
(+) ÷ (–) 9 ÷ (-3) = -3
(–) ÷ (+) (-9) ÷ 3 = -3
(–) ÷ (–) + (-9) ÷ (-3) = 3

Properties of Integers

Integers have various properties, the major properties of integers are:

  • Closure Property
  • Associative Property
  • Commutative Property
  • Distributive Property
  • Identity Property
  • Additive Inverse
  • Multiplicative Inverse

Closure Property

Closure property of integers states that if two integers are added or multiplied together their result is always an integer. For integers p and q

  • p + q = integer
  • p × q = integer

Example:

(-8) + 11 = 3 (An integer)
(-8) × 11 = -88 (An integer)

Commutative Property

Commutative property of integers states that for two integers p and q

  • p + q = q + p
  • p × q = q × p

Example:

(-8) + 11 = 11 + (-8) = 3
(-8) × 11 = 11 × (-8) = -88

But the commutative property is not applicable to the subtraction and division of integers.

Associative Property

Associative  property of integers states that for integers p, q, and r

  • p + (q + r) = (p + q) + r
  • p × (q × r) = (p × q) × r

Example:

5 + (4 + 3) = (5 + 4) + 3 = 12
5 × (4 × 3) = (5 × 4) × 3 = 60

Distributive Property

Distributive  property of integers states that for integers p, q, and r

  • p × (q + r) = p × q + p × r

For Example, Prove: 5 × (9 + 6) = 5 × 9 + 5 × 6

LHS = 5 × (9 + 6) 
        = 5 × 15
        = 75

RHS = 5 × 9 + 5 × 6 
        = 45 + 30
        = 75

Thus, LHS = RHS Proved

Identity Property

Integers hold Identity elements both for addition and multiplication. Operation with the Identity element yields the same integers, such that

  • p + 0 = p
  • p × 1 = p

Here, 0 is Additive Identity, and 1 is Multiplicative Identity.

Additive Inverse

Every integer has its additive inverse. An additive inverse is a number that in addition to the integer gives the additive identity. For integers, Additive Identity is 0. For example, take an integer p then its additive inverse is (-p) such that

  • p + (-p) = 0

Multiplicative Inverse

Every integer has its multiplicative inverse. A multiplicative inverse is a number that when multiplied to the integer gives the multiplicative identity. For integers, Multiplicative Identity is 1. For example, take an integer p then its multiplicative inverse is (1/p) such that

  • p × (1/p) = 1

Applications of Integers

Integers extend beyond numbers, finding applications in real life. Positive and negative values represent opposing situations. For instance, they indicate temperatures above and below zero. They facilitate comparisons, measurements, and quantification. Integers feature prominently in sports scores, ratings for movies and songs, and financial transactions like bank credits and debits.

Resources Related to Integers

Examples on Integers

Some examples on Integers are,

Example 1: Can we say that 7 is both a whole number and a natural number?

Solution:

Yes, 7 is both whole number and natural number.

Example 2: Is 5 a whole number and a natural number?

Solution:  

Yes, 5 is both a natural number and whole number.

Example 3: Is 0.7 a whole number?

Solution: 

No, it is a decimal.

Example 4: Is -17 a whole number or a natural number?

Solution: 

No, -17 is neither natural number nor whole number.

Example 5: Categorize the given numbers among Integers, whole numbers, and natural numbers,

  • -3, 77, 34.99, 1, 100

Solution:

Numbers Integers Whole Numbers Natural Numbers
-3 Yes No No
77 Yes Yes Yes
34.99 No No No
1 Yes Yes Yes
100 Yes Yes Yes

Practice Questions on Integers

Various Practice Questions on Integers are,

Q1: Sum of three consecutive integers are 125, what are these integers?

Q2: Which of the following numbers is the largest: -6, 2, -3, or 0?

Q3: Calculate the product of -7 and 9.

Q4: Find the sum of -15, 20, and -8.

Q5: If the temperature drops by 10 degrees Celsius and then rises by 7℃, what is the net change in temperature?

Q6: A submarine is at a depth of 120 meters below sea level. If it rises 80 meters, what will its new depth be?

Integers Worksheet

Worksheet on Integers for students to solve is added below,

Solve:

  1. 23 + (-12)
  2. 15 – 12
  3. -14 + 14
  4. (13) × (-17)
  5. (4) × (12)
  6. 0 × (-87)
  7. (114) ÷ (-7)
  8. (-7) ÷ (-3)

FAQs on Integers

Define Integers

Integers are a set of whole numbers that include both positive and negative numbers, as well as zero. In mathematical terms, integers are numbers without any fractional or decimal parts.

What are Consecutive Integers?

Consecutive Integers are integers that are adjacent to each other on a number line. The difference between the two consecutive integers is “1”.

What are Examples of Integers?

Examples of integers are -1, -9, 0, 1, 87, etc.

Can Integers be Negative?

Yes, integers can be negative. Negative Integers are -1, -4, and -55, etc.

What is a Positive Integer?

An integer is said to be positive if it is greater than zero. For example: 2, 50, 28 etc.

Is 0 an integer?

Yes, zero is considered an integer.

What are Rules of Integers?

Some important integers rules are:

  • Sum of Two Integers is an Integer
  • Difference of Two Integers is an Integer
  • Multiplication Two Integers is an Integer
  • Division of Two Integers may of may not be an Integer


Last Updated : 05 Mar, 2024
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