Is a negative number plus a negative number positive? This question might seem simple at first glance, but it delves into the fascinating world of mathematics and the rules governing the addition of negative numbers. In this article, we will explore the concept and provide a clear answer to this question.
The addition of negative numbers is a fundamental concept in mathematics. Negative numbers are numbers that are less than zero and are often represented with a minus sign (-) in front of them. When adding two negative numbers, the process is quite straightforward. Let’s consider an example to illustrate this.
Suppose we have two negative numbers: -3 and -5. To add these numbers, we simply combine their absolute values and then add a negative sign to the result. In this case, the absolute values of -3 and -5 are 3 and 5, respectively. Adding these absolute values gives us 3 + 5 = 8. Since both numbers are negative, we add a negative sign to the result, making it -8. Therefore, -3 + (-5) = -8.
This example demonstrates that when adding two negative numbers, the result is indeed negative. The negative sign in front of the numbers indicates that the sum is less than zero. The magnitude of the sum is the sum of the absolute values of the original numbers.
The rule for adding negative numbers can be generalized to any two negative numbers. Let’s denote the two negative numbers as -a and -b, where a and b are positive numbers. The sum of these two numbers can be expressed as:
-a + (-b) = -(a + b)
This equation shows that when adding two negative numbers, we add their absolute values and then add a negative sign to the result. The negative sign indicates that the sum is less than zero.
In conclusion, the answer to the question “Is a negative number plus a negative number positive?” is no. When adding two negative numbers, the result is always negative. This rule is a fundamental concept in mathematics and is essential for understanding the properties of negative numbers.
