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why is subtracting a negative the same as adding a positive

by Dr. Alisha Kub Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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?

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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.

Why do 2 negatives equal a positive when adding?

0:411:51So 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.

Is adding a negative the same as adding?

Now, if you're adding a negative, you can regard this is pretty much the same as when you were subtracting a positive, if you view "adding a negative" as adding to the left. That is, by plus-ing a minus, you're adding in the other direction.

What does a positive and a negative equal when adding?

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.

Does a negative times a positive equal a positive?

Rule 2: A negative number times a positive number equals a negative number. When you multiply a negative number to a positive number, your answer is a negative number. It doesn't matter which order the positive and negative numbers are in that you are multiplying, the answer is always a negative number.

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 is the rule for adding and subtracting negatives and positives?

If you're adding positive and negative numbers together, subtract the smaller number from the larger one and use the sign from the larger number.

How do you teach adding and subtracting negative numbers?

0:112:01Move forward if it's positive and backwards. If it's negative. Since our second number is a negativeMoreMove forward if it's positive and backwards. If it's negative. Since our second number is a negative seven our little bird is going to move backwards.

How do you subtract negative and positive numbers?

0:053:20So let's jump into number one where we have six minus negative four so let's add the opposite. So weMoreSo let's jump into number one where we have six minus negative four so let's add the opposite. So we start with a positive six. And we add the opposite of negative 4 which is a positive 4.

How to subtract a positive number?

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.

How to find the sum of a positive and a negative integer?

To find the sum of a positive and a negative integer, take the absolute value of each integer and then subtract these values.

What happens when you add a cold cube?

If you add a cold cube (add a negative number), the temperature goes down. If you remove a hot cube (subtract a positive number), the temperature goes down. And if you remove a cold cube (subtract a negative number), the temperature goes UP! That is, subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive.

When you subtract a negative number, is it the same as adding a positive number?

When you subtract a negative number it is essentially the same thing as adding a positive because you are removing that amount of the negative number.

What happens when you subtract a negative number?

If you subtract a positive number from it, the answer becomes more negative such as (-5) - 6 = (-11).

What does subtracting a negative number mean?

If you subtract a negative number from that same number you are taking a negative amount from the negative number you started with which means you are making it more positive. Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding a positive one. Such as (-5) - (-6) = 1.

Can two negatives make a sentence positive?

Non-mathematical proof. We all know two negatives in a sentence make a positive. Use of two negatives turns the meaning of sentence into a positive one.

Is minus ten bigger than minus one hundred?

In this example you subtracted minus ten from minus one hundred and the result was still negative. Yes, the result was ten bigger but it was still negative. In order for the result to be positive when subtracting a negative number from a negative number, the number being subtracted has to be a smaller number (more minus).

Is a mean inconclusive or inconclusive?

Results of the experiment are not inconclusive. Means results are conclusive.

Is p and q positive or negative?

Let p and q are two positive integers. So, -p and -q will be negative integers.

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1.Videos of Why Is Subtracting a negative The Same As Adding a Po…

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32 hours ago When you subtract a negative from a negative, then you are “reducing the negativity” of the previous negative value. The previous negative value is added a positive value, so it “gets closer to 0”. If the subtracted amount is more than the negative, then the rest will be part of the positive.

2.Why subtracting a negative is the same as adding?

Url:https://askinglot.com/why-subtracting-a-negative-is-the-same-as-adding

9 hours ago  · Subtraction is just the inverse (opposite) of addition; The inverse of an inverse of something is the original thing (think of a double negation, like "I am not not going to the park" = "I am going to the park") a-b is the same as a+(-b) So, 2-(-3)=2+(-(-3))=2+3=5; I hope this helps :D

3.Why is subtracting a negative the same as adding a …

Url:https://askinglot.com/why-is-subtracting-a-negative-the-same-as-adding-a-positive

10 hours ago  · If you add a cold cube (add a negative number), the temperature goes down. If you remove a hot cube (subtract a positive number), the temperature goes down. And if you remove a cold cube (subtract a negative number), the temperature goes UP! That is, subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive. Click to see full answer.

4.Why does subtracting two negative numbers makes the …

Url:https://www.quora.com/Why-does-subtracting-two-negative-numbers-makes-the-result-positive

35 hours ago  · Subtracting a negative number is like adding a positive; you move to the right on the number line. Likewise, 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. Keeping this in view, what is the rule for adding and subtracting positive and …

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