SOLUTION: what does a positive plus a negative equal?

Question 643031: what does a positive plus a negative equal?
Found 2 solutions by solver91311, jim_thompson5910:
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

It depends on what particular positive and what particular negative you are talking about. In general though:

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If the positive number is larger than the negative value (ignore the negative sign), then

positive + negative = positive

ex:

5 plus -2 = 3, which is positive

Notice how 5 is larger than 2

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If the positive number is smaller than the negative value (ignore the negative sign), then

positive + negative = negative

ex:

3 plus -12 = -9, which is negative

Notice how 3 is smaller than 12
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