a is negative number.
b is negative number.
What is the sum of a+b?
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a is negative number.
b is negative number.
What is the sum of a+b?
Let's check an example:
Let's say a = -1
b = -2
-1 + (-2) =
-1-2=
-3
As the example shows us, what we can also do with additional examples,
is that adding two negative numbers will always result in a negative number.
Negative
What will be the sign of the result of the next exercise?
\( (-2)\cdot(-\frac{1}{2})= \)
Think of negative numbers as debts. If you owe $3 and then owe another $5, your total debt is $8 (negative). Adding debts makes your debt bigger, not smaller!
Great question! Multiplication of two negatives gives positive (like -2 × -3 = 6), but addition of negatives stays negative. Don't mix up these rules!
Absolutely! Start at the first negative number, then move left (more negative direction) by the amount of the second negative number. You'll always land further left (more negative).
Even tiny negative numbers follow the same rule! . The sum is still negative, just closer to zero than larger negative numbers.
Never! This is a fundamental rule of mathematics. As long as both numbers are truly negative (less than zero), their sum will always be negative. No exceptions!
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