is there an easier way to add or subtract negative and positive numbers and remember it because i get confused like when a negative number minus a positive number it doesn't make SENSE !!!!!!
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You should always first simply signs.
So if I say 10 - (-5), that's 10 + 5.
That helps a bit. And do this as a separate step in a problem if needed.
Once this is done, our simple cases are...
5 + 10
-5 - 10
5 - 10
-5 + 10
Let's look at each case...
5 + 10 is simple
5 + 10 = 15
-5 -10 is also simple. Just think of it like this...
-(5 + 10)=-(15)=-15
In other words, just add the two numbers without signs, then put a - sign on it
5 - 10 and -5 + 10 are the ones you have to think about. But they are pretty simple.
First, I would re-write -5 + 10 as 10 - 5. Same thing. But maybe easier to think about.
So we have either 5 - 10 or 10 - 5. In both cases, without the sign, the answer is 5.
5 - 10 = -5
10 - 5 = 5
IF the number being subtracted is larger, the result is negative. Otherwise it's positive.
I believe this covers all cases with just two integers.
So if I say 10 - (-5), that's 10 + 5.
That helps a bit. And do this as a separate step in a problem if needed.
Once this is done, our simple cases are...
5 + 10
-5 - 10
5 - 10
-5 + 10
Let's look at each case...
5 + 10 is simple
5 + 10 = 15
-5 -10 is also simple. Just think of it like this...
-(5 + 10)=-(15)=-15
In other words, just add the two numbers without signs, then put a - sign on it
5 - 10 and -5 + 10 are the ones you have to think about. But they are pretty simple.
First, I would re-write -5 + 10 as 10 - 5. Same thing. But maybe easier to think about.
So we have either 5 - 10 or 10 - 5. In both cases, without the sign, the answer is 5.
5 - 10 = -5
10 - 5 = 5
IF the number being subtracted is larger, the result is negative. Otherwise it's positive.
I believe this covers all cases with just two integers.