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why is subtracting a negative the same as adding a positive

by Alverta Fadel PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Subtracting a negative number is like adding a positive; you move to the right on the number line. Also, why does a negative plus a negative equal a positive? When you multiply a negative by a negative you get a positive, because the two negative signs are cancelled out.

Subtracting a number is the same as adding its opposite. So, subtracting a positive number is like adding a negative; you move to the left on the number line. Subtracting a negative number is like adding a positive; you move to the right on the number line.

Full Answer

How do you subtract positive and negative numbers?

Subtracting positive and negative numbers is really easy to do: You don’t! Just change the minus sign (the one that’s the operator) to a plus sign, change the number that the minus sign was in front of to its opposite, and then follow these rules for adding positive and negative numbers: If you add a ]

What is the rule for subtracting negative numbers?

What are the Rules for Negative Numbers?

  • The sum of two negative numbers is a negative number. ...
  • The sum of a positive number and a negative number is the difference between the two numbers. ...
  • The product of a negative number and a positive number is always a negative number. ...
  • The product of two negative numbers is a positive number. ...

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Does a positive plus a negative equal a positive?

If two positive numbers are multiplied together or divided, the answer is positive. If two negative numbers are multiplied together or divided, the answer is positive. If a positive and a negative number are multiplied or divided, the answer is negative.

What is a negative number minus a positive number?

When taking a negative number minus a positive number, drop both minus signs and add the two numbers as if they were both positive; then attach a minus sign to the result. 1 What is a plus minus a negative?

Why does subtracting a negative equal a positive?

If you subtract a negative number, the two negatives combine to make a positive. −10−(−10) is not −20. Instead, you can think of it as turning one of the negative signs upright, to cross over the other, and make a plus. The sum would then be −10+10 = 0.

Is subtracting a negative the same as adding?

Subtracting a negative = adding a positive.

What is the difference between adding a negative number and subtracting a positive number?

1:203:12What is the difference between adding and subtracting positive ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNegative.MoreNegative.

Why do 2 negatives equal a positive when adding?

0:411:51Why Are Two Negative Numbers Always Positive When Multiplie...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo basically what ends up happening is that the second negative will cancel the first negativeMoreSo basically what ends up happening is that the second negative will cancel the first negative because it forces you to switch back in terms of direction.

Does a positive plus a negative equal a positive?

When multiplying (or dividing) two numbers with the same signs, the resulting answer is positive. If one is positive and the other negative, the answer will be negative.

What is the rule for adding and subtracting negatives and positives?

The Rules:RuleExample+(+)Two like signs become a positive sign3+(+2) = 3 + 2 = 5−(−)6−(−3) = 6 + 3 = 9+(−)Two unlike signs become a negative sign7+(−2) = 7 − 2 = 5−(+)8−(+2) = 8 − 2 = 62 more rows

What is the rule for adding and subtracting negative numbers?

0:012:01A Trick for Adding and Subtracting Negative Numbers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith all of the rules and scenarios remembering how to add and subtract negative numbers can beMoreWith all of the rules and scenarios remembering how to add and subtract negative numbers can be difficult here's a little trick to help you remember. Let's say we want to solve three plus negative

What happens when you add a negative number to a positive number?

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.

What is the difference between adding numbers and subtraction numbers?

Addition - A mathematical operation that represents combining objects t into a larger collection. It is signified by the plus sign (+). Subtraction - A mathematical operation that represents process of finding the difference between numbers or quantities. It is signified by the minus sign (-).

What happens when you subtract a negative?

Rule 3: Subtracting a negative number from a negative number – a minus sign followed by a negative sign, turns the two signs into a plus sign. So, instead of subtracting a negative, you are adding a positive.

What happens when you subtract a positive from a negative?

Subtracting a positive number from a negative number. When subtracting a positive number from a negative number, the difference will always have a negative sign. This is because you are actually adding the numbers on the negative side of the number line. Think of the number line: -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

When subtracting a positive number from another positive number, do we use the minus sign?

When we are subtracting a positive number from another positive number, we usually use the minus '-' sign. For example: 8 - 4 = 4. 8 and 4 and both positive numbers (note the lack of the minus sign before either) and thus 4 is taking away value from eight. Adding a negative number to a positive number or vice versa.

What does a double minus mean?

This is due to the fact that a double minus signifies a multiplication of signs, that is, -2 - -2 = -2 + 2. The negative sign for the number two, together with the minus sign that denotes subtraction yield a positive sign; two negatives equal a positive.

What happens when you add a negative number to a positive number?

When the negative sign '-' and the positive sign are added together, the sign with the larger value will be the sign of the sum total. For example: 3 + (-2) = 1 i.e. (+1) because the positive sign has a larger value than the negative sign.

What is the plus sign for adding a positive number to another positive number?

Adding a positive number to another positive number. When we are adding two or more positive numbers together, we usually use the plus '+' sign. For example: 5 + 7 = 12. 5 and 7 are both positive numbers. 7 is adding to the value of 5 and thus increasing the total value of the sum.

Can numbers be positive or negative?

Numbers can be positive or negative. Numbers can be positive or negative. Think of all the numbers that exist; they are all on a spectrum from negative through zero to positive. Imagine all these numbers on a line; this will make it easier for you to envision each number as positive or negative. For example:

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