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What are the four fundamental operations of integers?

Published in Integer Operations 2 mins read

The four fundamental operations of integers are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These operations are the building blocks for more complex mathematical concepts and are essential for everyday calculations.

Understanding the Four Operations

Integers, which include positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero, are manipulated using these core operations. Here's a breakdown of each:

1. Addition

  • Addition combines two or more integers to find their sum.
  • It can be represented as a + b = c, where 'a' and 'b' are integers and 'c' is their sum.
  • Example: 5 + 3 = 8; (-2) + 7 = 5; (-4) + (-6) = -10

2. Subtraction

  • Subtraction finds the difference between two integers.
  • It is the opposite operation of addition.
  • Represented as a - b = c, where 'a' and 'b' are integers and 'c' is their difference.
  • Example: 10 - 4 = 6; 2 - 8 = -6; (-5) - (-2) = -3

3. Multiplication

  • Multiplication is a repeated addition of the same integer a certain number of times.
  • It can be written as a * b = c, where 'a' and 'b' are integers, and 'c' is their product.
  • Example: 3 4 = 12; (-2) 5 = -10; (-3) * (-6) = 18

4. Division

  • Division is the process of splitting a number into equal parts.
  • It's the inverse operation of multiplication.
  • Represented as a / b = c (where 'b' cannot be zero), where 'a' is the dividend, 'b' is the divisor, and 'c' is the quotient.
  • Example: 12 / 4 = 3; 10 / (-2) = -5; (-15) / (-3) = 5
  • Note: Division by zero is undefined.

Relationship between Operations

As mentioned in the reference, addition and subtraction are inverse operations, as are multiplication and division. This means that they "undo" each other. For example, adding a number and then subtracting the same number results in the original number.

Operation Inverse Operation
Addition Subtraction
Subtraction Addition
Multiplication Division
Division Multiplication

Understanding these relationships is key to mastering integer operations. These fundamental operations lay the groundwork for algebra, calculus, and other mathematical disciplines.