Adding negative numbers can seem daunting and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right strategies, you can make even the trickiest of numerical equations a piece of cake! Read on to find out how to add negative numbers with a smile.
Adding Negative Numbers – A Piece of Cake!
Adding negative numbers is often seen as a difficult task, but it doesn’t have to be so intimidating. The important thing to keep in mind is that negative numbers are just regular numbers, only with a different sign. To add negative numbers, all you need to do is to combine the two numbers’ signs and their absolute values.
To make the process easier, start by writing the numbers out in a column. Place the larger number on the left, and the smaller number on the right. Then, combine the two signs and add the absolute values. The result will be the same regardless of the order of the numbers.
For example, to add -10 and -8, start by writing them in a column like this:
|-10|
|-8 |
Then, combine the two signs to get -, and add the absolute values to get -18. Et voila! You’ve successfully added two negative numbers.
Subtracting With a Smile – Simple Negative Number Strategies
Sometimes, adding negative numbers might require a bit of subtraction. When subtracting a larger negative number from a smaller negative number, you’ll have to use the same approach as you would when subtracting two positive numbers.
For example, to subtract -8 from -10, start by writing them in a column like this:
|-10|
|-8 |
In this case, the larger number is on the left and the smaller number is on the right. To subtract the two numbers, subtract the absolute values and keep the sign of the larger number (-10). The result is -2.
It’s that easy! Just remember the same steps you would use to subtract two positive numbers, and you can subtract negative numbers with a smile.
Adding and subtracting negative numbers is a breeze when you have the right strategies. Just remember that negative numbers are just regular numbers with a different sign, and you can work with them as easily as with any other number. With a few simple steps, you’ll be adding and subtracting negative numbers like a pro in no time!