There is only one correct answer to problems with negative numbers and with practice you can learn to find it quickly.There are at least two ways to think about these problems.People learn on a number line.
Step 1: Take your number line and draw it.
Draw a line.There is a short vertical line in the middle.In that order, make more marks to the right of 0 and label them 1, 2, 3, and so on.The numbers are positive.Negative numbers move in a different direction.When moving left, draw more marks and label them -1, -2, -3, and so on.
Step 2: The first number is the problem.
You want to solve the problem.The first number is -8.A thick dot should be drawn at that number.
Step 3: You should review how to add positive numbers.
Adding a positive number moves you to the right.If you start at -8 and add 3, you move 3 marks to the right.Where you end up is the answer.No matter what number we start with, this works.
Step 4: Move left to subtract positive numbers.
You move to the left of the number line if you subtract a positive number.You know this because -11 is three marks left of -8.
Step 5: A negative number should be added.
Let's try the other way around.The problem 5 + (-2) can be solved by starting at +5 on the number line.The direction we move on the number line is changed because the second number is negative.Adding a negative number moves to the left instead of the right.Start at 5 and move 2 spaces to the left.5 + 2 is 3.Adding a negative number is the same as subtracting a positive number.5 + 2 is 5 - 2.
Step 6: A negative number should be subtracted.
Try subtracting a negative number.We're going to move right instead of left again.Start at 5 and move two spaces to the right.Adding a positive number is the same as subtracting a negative number.5 + 2 is 5.
Step 7: Add two numbers that are negative.
Let's solve the problem.On the number line, start at.We moved to the left because the negative sign in front of the 4 changed our direction.You'll land on -10) if you move four spaces left of -6).You don't need to be confused by where you start on the number line.The first number tells you where to start.The type of problem and the second number will determine if you move right or left.
Step 8: Subtract two numbers that are not positive.
Let's solve -10)Start at 10.The negative in front of the 3 changes direction to the right.Land on -3 if you move 3 places to the right.The solution is -7It takes two lines to draw the two negative signs.It takes two lines to draw a plus sign, the same as moving to the right.
Step 9: You can learn about absolute value.
It's helpful to understand absolute value for other problems.The distance from zero is the absolute value of a number.Ignore the negative sign in front of it is the easiest way to find this.The absolute value is 6.The absolute value is 6.The absolute value of 9 is greater than that of 7.The absolute value is greater with -8.It doesn't matter if it's negative or positive.
Step 10: Add two numbers that are negative.
Adding negative numbers is the same as adding positive numbers, except that the answer has a negative sign in front of it.For example, (-2) + (-4) is equal.
Step 11: There is a positive and a negative number.
You might not know if the answer will be positive or negative.If the number line doesn't help you figure it out, you can try subtracting the smaller absolute value from the larger one.For now, ignore the negative sign.Write 4 - 2 instead.4 - 2 is the answer to that problem.This isn't the answer yet.Look at the problem and check the sign for the largest absolute value number.In the problem 2 + (-4), 4 has a higher value than 2.Our final answer will have a negative sign in front of the 4.The answer is.
Step 12: A negative number is subtracted.
Adding a positive is the same as subtracting a negative.4 + 6 is the same as 4 - (-6).It gets harder when you start with a negative number.If it's an addition problem, you can switch the order of the two numbers and make it an ordinary subtraction problem.Here are a few examples.
Step 13: Problems can be solved with more than two numbers.
These steps can be used to solve a long chain of numbers.There's an example of (-7) - (-3) - 2 + 1 =(-7).