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If two negaitve signs occur next to each other in an equation, as in 4 -(-2) then the two negatives becomes a positive and you add the two to get 6. Otherwise, you just do what the equation states:

-5 + 3 you add; =-2.

-5 - 3 you subtract; = -8

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Q: When having a negative and a positive sign do you add or subtract?
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When you have a negative and positive in math does it become a negative?

It depends on what you do with the negative and positive. If you multiply or divide a positive number and a negative number, then the answer is negative. If you add or subtract a positive number and a negative number, the answer could be negative or positive depending on the numbers involved. If you put a negative sign in front of a positive number, the result is a negative number. If you put a positive sign in front of a negative number (like +(-7)), the result is still negative.


When you add a positive and negative number together how do you determine the sign of the answer?

You subtract smaller number from larger and take sign of the larger For example negative 7 + 4 = -3


If you add a positive and a negative number how can you tell whether the answer will be positive negative or equal?

If the negative number is bigger then the answer will be negative If the bigger number is positive then the answer will be positive. All you do is subtract the two numbers and take the sign of the bigger number Ex (+2)+(-7)=(-5)


What do you do when you subtract a negative number?

6 - (-2) when changing the first sign ( which is the mechanistic form here ) you need to change the second sign. The subtraction sign changes to positive and the negative sign also changes to positive. so... 6 - (-2) becomes 6 + 2 = 8


How do you write a formula to subtract a negative minus a negative?

a negative minus a negative = a positive. the two negatives put together make a plus sign. example... 5-(-7) = 13

Related questions

What is the answer if you subtract positive twentyseven from negative sixtynine?

If you subtract positive twenty-seven from negative sixty-nine, you would get negative forty-two. You simply subtract the 27 from the 69 but leave the negative sign.


Do you add or subtract when you have a negative number and a positive?

Subtract and add the sign of the greater number.


What is the answer you get when you subtract?

it depends if the numbers are positive or negative. if its a positive minus a negative, or switched, it will be the sign of the greater number.


Is a negative subtract a negative a positive?

Yes. A negative subtracted by a negative is a positive. Just remember that two like signs become a positive sign, and two unlike signs become a negative sign.


How do you subtract a positive and negative number?

You have to take the negative sign away from the negative number and add them.


How does the sign of the product of the positive and a negative number compare withe the sign of the sum of a positive and a negative number?

The product of a positive and negative number is always negative The sum of a positive and negative number depends on which one is larger; subtract the two numbers and take the sign of the larger


What is a positive paired with a negative?

In multiplication/division the answer will always be negative and in addition/subtract the answerwill have the sign of the larger number


When you have a negative and positive in math does it become a negative?

It depends on what you do with the negative and positive. If you multiply or divide a positive number and a negative number, then the answer is negative. If you add or subtract a positive number and a negative number, the answer could be negative or positive depending on the numbers involved. If you put a negative sign in front of a positive number, the result is a negative number. If you put a positive sign in front of a negative number (like +(-7)), the result is still negative.


What are the rules on positive and negative numbers?

multiplying and dividing- positive * positive= positive positive * negative=negative negative *negative=positive subtracting- -3-6=? 1. freeze first number- -3 2.reverse the sign to a addition- -3+ 3.Reverse the sign of the number- -3+-6= -9 adding- keep the sign of the larger number, then add/subtract


What does negative plus positive equal to?

In math when you are given a negative and a positive number, you should write down the sign of the greatest number and subtract the smaller number from the greatest number. In the problem 3 - 9, three is the positive number, and nine is the negative number. This means you should write down the negative number's sign and subtract 3 from 9, and your answer should be -6.


How do you know if a number will be positive or negative when adding?

Numbers are positive unless they have a minus sign (-) in front of them, in which case they are negative. As for the sum of positive and negative numbers, just add them up and find out. Add the positive, subtract the negative. It's very logical.


When you add a positive and negative number together how do you determine the sign of the answer?

You subtract smaller number from larger and take sign of the larger For example negative 7 + 4 = -3