I remember when I was first learning about "integers" and I thought the entire concept was extremely overwhelming. I had the hardest time remembering whether or not integers included fractions. To make it very simple: integers are whole, negative, and positive numbers. On a number line they would be represented like this:
When looking at a number line that represents positive and negative numbers, we call a number and it's negative counterpart opposites. For example the numbers -5 and 5 are opposites.
Another detail we should know about integers is that we may be asked to find their absolute value. Written mathematically that would look like this: |8| = 8
The absolute value of a number is simply the distance of a number from zero. So, the absolute value of |8| is 8 because it is 8 places away from zero.
I have always thought that absolute value was an extremely easy concept to grasp. The absolute value of a number is always positive. However, there are sometimes problems out there that intend to trip you up! For example: -|-8| can be tricky if you aren't paying attention. If I didn't look carefully I would immediately say the answer is 8 because absolute value is always positive. This would be a huge mistake! You have to notice and acknowledge the - sign outside of the absolute value symbol. This means that after the absolute value of a number is determined, a - sign is added back making it a negative integer.
Here is another explanation of absolute value
Awesome worksheets on integers
Integer explanation video
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