Chapter 2: Problem 26
Find each sum. $$4+(-6)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The sum is -2.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Numbers
We start with the numbers given in the exercise: 4 and -6. Recognize that 4 is a positive number and -6 is a negative number.
02
Understand the Operation
The operation to perform is addition, as indicated by the plus sign between the two numbers: \(4 + (-6)\). Since one number is positive and the other is negative, this becomes a subtraction operation.
03
Convert to Subtraction
When adding a negative number, convert the operation to subtraction: \(4 + (-6)\) is the same as \(4 - 6\).
04
Perform the Subtraction
Subtract 6 from 4. This can be expressed as \(4 - 6 = -2\). Since 6 is greater than 4, the result is negative.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Negative Numbers
Negative numbers are numbers less than zero and are usually expressed with a minus sign (-) in front of them. They represent values that are opposite to positive numbers.
Negative numbers are often used to denote:
Negative numbers are often used to denote:
- Temperatures below zero degrees.
- Depths below sea level.
- Financial losses or liabilities.
Addition as Subtraction
Addition can sometimes feel confusing when negative numbers are involved. When we add a negative number to a positive one, it is equivalent to subtracting the positive value of that negative number.
For example, if you have 7 and add -3, you are effectively subtracting 3 from 7. This process is represented mathematically as:
For example, if you have 7 and add -3, you are effectively subtracting 3 from 7. This process is represented mathematically as:
- From a positive number, moving left on a number line. Thus, 7 + (-3) becomes 7 - 3.
Subtraction of Integers
Subtraction with integers, both positive and negative, involves considering the direction and magnitude of the numbers. When you subtract a larger number from a smaller integer, the result is negative.
Let's use the example of the exercise where you subtract 6 from 4:
Let's use the example of the exercise where you subtract 6 from 4:
- First, know that 6 is greater than 4.
- When subtracting 6 from 4 (\(4 - 6\)), we essentially need to find how far 4 is from 6 in the opposite direction on the number line, resulting in -2.
- If both integers are positive, traditional subtraction rules apply.
- If you subtract a negative number, you're effectively adding the absolute value of that integer.
- Results depend significantly on the relative sizes of the integers involved.