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Add and subtract positive and negative numbersWhen adding and subtracting numbers it's important to be consistent with positive and negative values. Remember that two plus signs or two minus signs make a positive. One plus and one minus make a negative.
Rules for adding and subtracting positive and negative numbersWhen two signs are written next to each other, the rules for adding and subtracting numbers are:
Negative IntegersNegative integers are numbers that have a value less than zero. They do not include fractions or decimals. For example, -7, -10 are negative integers. Rules for Negative NumbersWhen the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are performed on negative numbers, they follow a certain set of rules.
Adding and Subtracting Negative NumbersFor adding and subtracting negative numbers, we need to remember the following rules. Addition of Negative NumbersCase 1: When a negative number is added to a negative number, we add the numbers and use the negative sign in the answer. For example, -7 + (- 4) = -7 - 4 = -11. In other words, the sum of two negative numbers always results in a negative number. This can be understood with the help of a number line. The number line rule says, "To add a negative number we move to the left on the number line". Therefore, observe the following number line, and apply the rule on -7 + (- 4). We can see that when we start from -7 and move 4 numbers to the left, it brings us to -11. Case 2: When a positive number is added to a negative number, we find their difference and use the sign of the larger absolute value in the answer. For example, -9 + (5) ⇒ - 4. Since we are using the sign of the greater absolute value, the answer is -4. This can be understood better with the help of a number line. The number line rule says, "To add a positive number we move to the right on the number line". Observe the following number line and apply the rule on -9 + (+5). We start from -9 and move 5 numbers to the right that brings us to -4. Subtraction of Negative NumbersThe subtraction of negative numbers is similar to addition. We just need to remember a rule which says: Rule of Subtraction: Change the operation from subtraction to addition, and change the sign of the second number that follows. Case 1: When we need to subtract a positive number from a positive number, we follow the subtraction rule given above. For example, 5 - (+6) becomes 5 + (-6) = 5 - 6 = -1. Now, if we apply the rule of the number line on 5 + (-6), to add a negative number, we move to the left. Therefore, we start with 5 and move 6 numbers to the left, which brings us to -1. Case 2: When we need to subtract a positive number from a negative number, we will follow the same rule of subtraction which says: Rule of Subtraction: Change the operation from subtraction to addition, and change the sign of the second number that follows. For example, -3 - (+1), will become -3 + (-1). This can be simplified as -3 -1 = -4. Now, if we apply the rule of the number line on -3 + (-1), to add a negative number we move to the left. Therefore, we start with -3 and move 1 number to the left, which brings us to -4. Case 3: When we need to subtract a negative number from a negative number, we will follow the rule of subtraction: Rule of Subtraction: Change the operation from subtraction to addition, and change the sign of the second number that follows. For example, -9 - (-12) ⇒ -9 + 12 = 3. Here, 12 becomes positive. We use the sign of the bigger absolute value that is 12 and the answer is 3. Multiplication and Division of Negative NumbersThere are two basic rules related to the multiplication and division of negative numbers. Multiplying Positive and Negative Numbers
Dividing Positive and Negative Numbers
Negative Integers With ExponentsThere are two basic rules related to negative integers with exponents:
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FAQs on Negative NumbersWhat are Negative Numbers in Math?A negative number is a number whose value is always less than zero and it has a minus (-) sign before it. On a number line, negative numbers are shown to the left of zero. For example, - 2, - 3, - 4, - 5 are called negative numbers. What are the Rules for Negative Numbers?When the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are performed on negative numbers, they follow a certain set of rules.
What is the Sum of Two Negative Numbers?The sum of two negative numbers is always a negative number. For example, (-7) + (-2) = -9 What are Negative Numbers used for?There are situations in real life where we use numbers that are less than zero. Negative numbers are used to measure temperature. For example, the lowest possible temperature is absolute zero which is expressed as -273.15°C on the Celsius scale, and -459.67°F on the Fahrenheit scale. Negative numbers are also used to measure the geographical locations that are below the sea level and which are expressed in negative integers like -100 ft Mean Sea Level. How to Multiply Negative Numbers?There are two basic rules related to the multiplication of negative numbers.
How to Divide Negative Numbers?The rules that are applied for the multiplication of numbers are also used in the division of negative numbers.
What is the Difference Between Negative Integers and Positive Integers?The main difference between negative integers and positive integers is that negative integers have a value less than zero and positive integers have a value greater than zero. It should be noted that zero is neither a positive integer nor a negative integer. How do you Add Two Negative Integers?Adding two negative integers together is easy because we just add the given numbers and then place a negative sign in front of the sum. For example, (-2) + (-5) = -7 What are the Rules For Subtracting Negative Numbers?There is a basic rule for subtracting negative numbers. "Change the operation from subtraction to addition, and change the sign of the second number that follows". For example, let us subtract -2 - (-5). In this case, we change the operation from subtraction to addition and change the sign of (-5) to (+5). This makes it -2 + (+5) = -2 + 5 = 3. How to Subtract Negative Numbers?When we subtract negative numbers, we just need to remember a rule which says:Change the operation from subtraction to addition, and change the sign of the second number that follows. Now, let us apply this rule, for example, subtract 5 from -8. This means -8 - (5). After applying the rule, -8 - (5) becomes -8 + (-5) = -13. What is the rule for subtracting negative numbers?Rule 1: Subtracting a negative number from a negative number (-) a minus sign followed by a negative sign, turns the two signs into a plus sign.
What is the rule for adding two negative numbers?Note: Adding two negative numbers together? Just add the absolute value of each number together, put a negative sign in front, and you have your answer!
What is the formula for adding negative numbers?To get the sum of a negative and a positive number, use the sign of the larger number and subtract. For example: (–7) + 4 = –3. 6 + (–9) = –3.
Do you add when subtracting a negative number?Subtracting A Negative Number
Yes indeed! Subtracting a Negative is the same as adding!
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