![]() ![]() You need to ignore the plus sign and recognize that the second negative means you are subtracting that number. This reads “negative three plus negative 2”. When you are adding a negative number to a negative number, it becomes subtraction, where you start from a negative point on the numbers line and move left.įor example, -3 + (-2). Rule 4: Adding negative numbers to negative numbers- treat the problem like subtraction (counting backwards). ![]() How does that look on the numbers line?Īnd then you add the negative number, which means you are moving to the left – in the negative direction. When you are adding a negative number to a positive number you are effectively subtracting the second number from the first.įor example, take 4 + (-2). Rule 3: Adding negative numbers to positive numbers-count backwards, as if you were subtracting. You’re starting with the negative number -6.Īnd you’re adding three to that number, which means you are moving three spots to the right.Ĭlass="green-text">The answer is -3. TabletClass Math 388K subscribers 18K 1.3M views 13 years ago Algebra John Zimmerman, explains how to add, subtract, multiply and divide positive and negative. The best way to think about this problem is to use a number line that extends to the negative numbers. This would reading “negative six plus three”. Pay close attention to where the negative signs are placed in the problem.įor example: -6 + 3. Rule 2: Adding positive numbers to negative numbers-count forward the amount you’re adding. You can calculate these problems the way you always have: 3 + 2 = 5. Rule 1: Adding positive numbers to positive numbers-it’s just normal addition.įor example: this is what you have learned all along. However, there are some simple rules to follow and we introduce them here. When we add a negative number to a positive number, or two negative numbers, that can sometimes seem tricky. Vice versa, if a negative number comes after the subtraction sign, it means you move to the right instead of to the left on the number line.Adding positive numbers, such as 2 + 2, is easy. That is, if a negative number comes after the addition sign, it means you move to the left instead of the right on the number line. When a negative number comes after the addition or subtraction sign, it means you have to reverse the normal direction. Or think in terms of giving or receiving cookies. I have to give you what I owe so I end up with only 2 cookies. Starting at -1, move 3 steps to the right on the number line. The plus or addition sign tells us to move to the right on the number line. If I have 1 cookie (1) and I want to give you 3 cookies (-3), that means I owe you 2 cookies (-2). Starting at number 1, move 3 steps to the left on the number line. The subtraction tells us to move to the left on the number line. Me: So, if you change your direction two times, you will still be in the same direction, thats why negative multiplied by negative is positive. The other thing to note is that the addition symbol (+) tells us to move to the right of the number line while the subtraction symbol (-) tells us to move to the left of the number line. The negative symbol applies only to the number it is paired with. The subtraction symbol tells us which direction we want to go along the number line. They both look the same but have different meanings. The first thing to understand is the difference in the meaning between the subtraction symbol (-) and the negative number symbol (-). When it comes to using negative numbers in addition and subtraction, using a number line is crucial for understanding how it all works. ![]() Therefore, -5 is smaller than -3 because you are further away from zero.Īdding and Subtracting with Negative Numbers.So -3 means you are 3 steps away from 0 and -5 means you are 5 steps away from zero.The negative sign tells you how far away the number is from the zero.To help my students understand better, I tell them to think of negative numbers this way: An easy way to solve problems like that is if there is an odd number of negative signs, then your answer is going to be negative. The negative numbers also increases digitally as you move to the left of the line, but the negative sign means the value of the number actually decreases Why does a positive times a negative produces a negative Because when there is a positive and a negative in the same problem, it gives you a negative.The number line has to beginning and no ending, indicated by the arrow on both ends of the line. ![]()
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