Solve the Integer Equation: -12 + 5 (Basic Arithmetic)

Q: Why do I move right when adding a positive number?

Positive numbers always move right on the number line. Think of it like walking: if you're at position -12 and take 5 steps forward (right), you end up at -7.

Q: What if I was adding a negative number instead?

Adding a negative number (like $ -12 + (-5) $) would mean moving left on the number line, giving you -17. The sign of the number you're adding determines the direction!

Q: How do I remember which direction to move?

Use this simple rule: Positive = Right, Negative = Left. You can also think of it as: adding means moving toward positive numbers (right).

Q: Why isn't the answer positive 7?

Because you started at a negative position (-12). Even after moving 5 steps right, you're still in the negative region of the number line. You'd need to move at least 12 steps right to reach zero!

Negative Integer Addition with Number Line

Solve the following problem:

$-12+5=$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:03 The number is aimed, negative

00:08 Progress to the negative side of the axis is to the left

00:10 Let's take 12 jumps to the left

00:17 The number is aimed, positive

00:20 Progress to the positive side of the axis is to the right

00:26 Let's take 5 jumps to the right

00:32 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Solve the following problem:

$-12+5=$

Step-by-step solution

We will locate the number negative 12 on the number line, and from there we will move 5 steps to the right (since 5 is greater than zero):

We can see that we have reached the number negative 7.

Final Answer

$-7$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Adding positive numbers means moving right on number line
Technique: Start at -12, move 5 steps right to get -7
Check: Count positions: -12, -11, -10, -9, -8, -7 equals 5 moves ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Subtracting instead of adding when seeing negative numbers
Don't think -12 + 5 means -12 - 5 = -17! This happens when you see the negative sign and automatically subtract. Always remember that + means addition, so move RIGHT on the number line.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

a is negative number.

b is negative number.

What is the sum of a+b?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I move right when adding a positive number?

Positive numbers always move right on the number line. Think of it like walking: if you're at position -12 and take 5 steps forward (right), you end up at -7.

What if I was adding a negative number instead?

Adding a negative number (like $-12 + (-5)$ ) would mean moving left on the number line, giving you -17. The sign of the number you're adding determines the direction!

How do I remember which direction to move?

Use this simple rule: Positive = Right, Negative = Left. You can also think of it as: adding means moving toward positive numbers (right).

Can I solve this without the number line?

Yes! You can think: "I have -12 and I'm adding 5, so I have 5 less debt." $|-12| - 5 = 12 - 5 = 7$ , but since I started negative, the answer is -7.

Why isn't the answer positive 7?

Because you started at a negative position (-12). Even after moving 5 steps right, you're still in the negative region of the number line. You'd need to move at least 12 steps right to reach zero!

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