need help with adding whole numbers, decimals, fraction and integers. do not understand when answer should be + or -. what is the rules?
when adding, the answer will be the same sign as the greater number
Think of positive money as money you have and negative money as money you owe. Now, let's try a few examples. Read over and study these and I think you will understand this better.
-4+8 you owe four and you have 8 means you have four left so the answer is 4. 6-10 means you have six and you owe ten so you owe 4 so the answer is -4. Like Pauline said, the answer will be the sign as the greater number. -5-6 both are negative so the answer is -11 (you owe 5, you owe 6, you owe 11 total). -5+-6 is the same exact thing as above. read the plus sign as "and" (you owe five, AND you owe six, you owe 11 total). If you still need help with this, please let me know.
When adding whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and integers, it's important to understand the rules for determining whether the answer should be positive or negative. Here's a breakdown of the rules for each type:
1. Whole Numbers: Whole numbers are the counting numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, ...) and their negatives. When adding whole numbers, you follow these rules:
- If you add two positive whole numbers, the sum is positive.
- If you add two negative whole numbers, the sum is negative.
- If you add a positive and a negative whole number, the answer depends on the absolute values of the numbers. Subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value and give the sum the sign of the number with the larger absolute value.
2. Decimals: Decimals are numbers with a decimal point. When adding decimals, align the decimal points and follow these rules:
- If you add two positive decimals, the sum is positive.
- If you add two negative decimals, the sum is negative.
- If you add a positive and a negative decimal, the answer depends on the absolute values of the numbers. Subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value and give the sum the sign of the number with the larger absolute value.
3. Fractions: Fractions are numbers expressed as a ratio of two integers. When adding fractions, they must have a common denominator. Follow these rules:
- If you add two positive fractions, the sum is positive.
- If you add two negative fractions, the sum is negative.
- If you add a positive and a negative fraction, the answer depends on the absolute values of the numbers. Subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value and give the sum the sign of the number with the larger absolute value.
4. Integers: Integers are positive and negative whole numbers, including zero. When adding integers, follow these rules:
- If you add two positive integers, the sum is positive.
- If you add two negative integers, the sum is negative.
- If you add a positive and a negative integer, subtract the absolute value of the negative integer from the absolute value of the positive integer, and give the sum the sign of the number with the larger absolute value.
Remember, it's important to consider the signs and absolute values of the numbers being added to determine whether the answer should be positive or negative.