Adding Positive And Negative Decimals

Calculation positive numbers, such as 2 + 2, is like shooting fish in a barrel.

When we add a negative number to a positive number, or two negative numbers, that can sometimes seem tricky. Yet, there are some simple rules to follow and we innovate them hither.

Rule 1: Adding positive numbers to positive numbers—it'due south but normal add-on.

For example: this is what you have learned all along. 3 + ii are two positive numbers. Yous tin can summate these issues the way yous ever have: 3 + two = 5.

Dominion two: Adding positive numbers to negative numbers—count forrad the corporeality y'all're adding.

This is where it gets a piddling harder. Pay close attending to where the negative signs are placed in the problem.

For example: -6 + iii. This would reading "negative six plus three". The best mode to call back virtually this problem is to use a number line that extends to the negative numbers.

You're starting with the negative number -6.

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And you lot're adding three to that number, which means you are moving three spots to the right.

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class="greenish-text">The answer is -3. -6 + 3 = -three.

Dominion three: Adding negative numbers to positive numbers—count backwards, as if you were subtracting.

Now, let's look at the opposite equation. When you lot are adding a negative number to a positive number y'all are effectively subtracting the second number from the first.
For example, take 4 + (-2). How does that expect on the numbers line?

Y'all commencement at four.

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And and so y'all add the negative number, which means you are moving to the left – in the negative direction. Basically you are subtracting the two.

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The respond is ii. iv + (-2) = 2.

Dominion 4: Adding negative numbers to negative numbers— treat the problem like subtraction (counting backwards).

When you lot 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.

For example, -3 + (-2). This reads "negative 3 plus negative ii". Y'all need to ignore the plus sign and recognize that the second negative means you lot are subtracting that number.

We're starting at -3.

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