Find solution
What are the rules for subtracting positive and negative numbers?

What Are The Rules To Subtracting & Adding Positive& Negative Numbers?

  • Thanks

  • Answer:

    When numbers have like signs (i.e. both positive or both negative), you add them together and use the common sign. When numbers have opposite signs (i.e. one positive and one negative), you subtract and use the sign of the number furthest from zero on a number line.

Rodriek at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Whatever the bigger number is, is what your sign will be. -4+2= -2 -1+8= 7 the way i understood in school is take out the middle sign, and whatever sign is left is what you'd put in the middle. -4+2= -2 take out the plus, so you have -4 and 2. do 2-4. if you only have $2, but have to take away $4, you would have negative two dollars. but if both of the numbers are negative, then your answer will be negative. -4+-3 = -7

Bridgette

It depends on the number! For example, (-5) - (-4) = -5 + 4 = -1, so still negative. But (-5) - (-6) = -5 + 6 = 1, so its positive now. There are no general rules for adding + subtracting. For multiplication: Negative * Negative = Positive Positive * Positive = Positive Negative * Positive = Negative

War Master

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.