Adding and Subtracting Signed Numbers Made Simple

Now that we understand signed numbers, let's learn how to add them together.Let's start with adding numbers with the same sign. For negative five plus negative three:We start at negative five on the number line, then move three more units left because we're adding another negative number.Now let's try adding numbers with different signs. For negative four plus positive six:Since six is larger than four, we subtract four from six and keep the positive sign. Moving right six units from negative four brings us to positive two.For positive seven plus positive three:We start at positive seven and move three units right, reaching positive ten.For our final example, let's add positive two and negative five:Since negative five has a larger absolute value than positive two, we subtract two from five and keep the negative sign. Starting at positive two and moving left five units brings us to negative three.When subtracting signed numbers, we can convert the subtraction into addition by adding the opposite.Let's look at our first example: five minus negative three.When we subtract a negative three, it's the same as adding positive three.Starting at five and moving right three units brings us to eight.Now let's try negative four minus two.Subtracting positive two is the same as adding negative two.Starting at negative four and moving left two units takes us to negative six.Let's try one more: three minus five.Subtracting five is the same as adding negative five.Starting at three and moving left five units brings us to negative two.Let's review what we've learned about subtracting signed numbers.Remember, whenever you subtract a number, you can always add its opposite instead!