Does a negative plus a positive equal a negative?

Answer 1

Yes, a negative plus a positive equals a negative IF the positive number is less than the negative number. For instance:

-4 + 3 = -1

BUT

-4 + 5 = 1

It just depends on the numbers involved.

Just remember this rule:

Subtract and take the sign of the largest number.

For instance:

In the problem -4 + 3 = -1, subtract by solving the problem 4 - 3 = 1. Since 4 is greater than 3 and 4 is negative, the answer would be negative.

In the problem -4 + 5 = 1 , subtract by solving the problem 5 - 4 = 1. Since 5 is greater than 4 and 5 is positive, the answer would be positive.