When you subtract one integer from another integer will your answer be greater than or less than the integer you started with explain your reasoning and give an example?

Answer 1

It can be greater than, equal or less than the original integer.

There are three possible values for the second integer:

1. It is positive, in which case the result will be less than the original integer, eg 5 - 2 = 3 and 3 < 5;
2. It is zero, in which case the result will be the same as the original integer, eg 5 - 0 = 5 and 5 = 5;
3. It is negative, in which case the result will be greater than the original integer, eg 5 - -2 = 7 and 7 > 5.
   

Answer 2

it depends on the sign of the integers. For example if you have 7 -4 = 3 the result is less than the integer you started with. if you have 4-7 = -3 the result is less than the integer you started with. But if you have 7 - (-4) = 11 then the result is greater than the integer you started with. If you limit integers to all positive only, then a positive integer minus a positive integer is always a result that is less than the integer you started with.