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This depends on the relative magnitudes of the integers. The magnitude is the value of the number (without the sign). Or another way to look at it is how far away from zero is it. So if the positive integer has a greater magnitude, the sum will be positive. If the negative integer has the greater magnitude, then the sum is negative.

Say, for example, your car is parked at the Equator (call this zero). Now drive 5 miles in the North (positive) direction. Now turn around and drive 4 miles in the South (negative) direction. You end up 1 mile North of the Equator, which is positive.

If you start again driving 5 miles North, then drive 8 miles South, you end up 3 miles South of the equator (negative).

Note that it doesn't matter which one you do first (if you drive 8 miles South first, then 5 miles North, you're still ending at 3 miles South of the Equator). This demonstrates the Commutative Property of Addition (the order can be rearranged and get the same answer).

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13y ago
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6y ago

The sum will take on the sign of whichever number has the higher absolute value. If the absolute values are the same, the sum is zero.

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7y ago

It will take the sign of the number with the higher absolute value.

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12y ago

The sum can be either positive or negative, depending on

which of the original numbers is the bigger one.

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12y ago

It can be any integer - positive, negative, or zero. Examples:

4 + (-5) = -1

5 + (-4) = 1

4 + (-4) = 0

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12y ago

The sum will take on the sign of whichever number has the higherabsolute value. If the absolute values are the same, the sum iszero.

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12y ago

The sum will take on the sign of whichever number has the higherabsolute value. If the absolute values are the same, the sum iszero.

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12y ago

The sum will take on the sign of whichever number has the higherabsolute value. If the absolute values are the same, the sum iszero.

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11y ago

positive

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Q: What is the sum of a positive integer and a negative integer?
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Related questions

Is the sum of a positive and negative integer always negative?

No. The sum of a positive integer and a negative integer has the same sign as the larger integer.


When is the sum of a positive integer and a negative integer positvie?

The sum of a positive integer and a negative integer is positive when the positive integer is greater. For example: 9 + (-5) = 4 In this case, the positive integer 9 is greater than the negative integer 5. Therefore, the sum is positive.


Is it true that the sum of a negative integer and a positive integer is always positive?

It depends, if a number with positive integers is greater than the number with the negative integer therefore the sum will be in positive integer. And if the number with positive integer is less than the number with the number with negative integer then the sum will be in negative integer.


What is the sum of a negative integer from a positive integer?

subtract the negative from the positive


When is the sum of a positive and negative integer negative?

When the absolute value of the positive integer is smaller than the absolute value of the negative one.


When is the sum of a positive integer and a negative integer positive?

When the positive integer is greater than the negative integer.


When is the sum of a positive integer and a negative integer zero?

When the absolute value of the positive integer is the same as the absolute value of the negative one.


Is the sum of a positive and negative integer never positive?

No, it can be.


Does the sum of a positive integer and a negative integer always positive?

Not necessarily. That only applies if the positive integer is greater than the negative integer in absolute value.An integer.


Is the sum of a negative integer and a positive integer is always negative?

No, -3 + 8 = 5.


Sum of a positive integer and a negative integer always positive true or false?

False.


Is the sum of negative integer and a positive is always positive?

yes