Real Numbers are not just out of thin air, but have connections with real life. So, positive numbers like 2, 3, 89, 3/4 make sense immediately. But, what about negative numbers like -2, -4, -5, -100, -1/3? Watch the following video to understand these connections.
Now that we understand from the above video where the signed numbers come from, let's visualize some operations like adding or subtracting of signed numbers. A number line is a very helpful tool.
Example
Notice when you are adding, no matter which number you start from, you move that many spots to the right. This is the basic understanding of the adding of signed numbers. Notice the right moving arrow.
Examples
Notice when you are subtracting, no matter which number you start from, you move that many spots to the left. This is the basic understanding of the subtracting of signed numbers. Notice the left moving arrow.
Examples
Also, realize that visualizing a number line helps in the basic understanding of how these operations work, but it could become cumbersome if working with really large numbers. Hence, please check out the following tips.
| Type of Operations between numbers | Types | Example/Result |
|
Addition/Subtraction |
Adding two positive numbers |
Always a positive solution, and you add the values. E.g., \(4 + 47 = 51\) |
| Adding two negative numbers |
Always a negative solution, and you add the values. E.g., \(- 4 - 47 = -51\) |
|
|
Adding a negative and a positive number |
A negative solution if the bigger number is a negative signed number, and you subtract the values. E.g., \(- 47 + 4 = - 43\) | |
| A positive solution if the bigger number is a positive signed number, and you subtract the values. E.g., \(- 4 + 47 = 43\) | ||
|
Multiplication/Division |
Multiplying/Dividing two positive numbers |
Always a positive solution. E.g., \(25 \times 5 = 125, \frac{25}{5} = 5\) |
| Multiplying/Dividing two negative numbers |
Always a positive solution. E.g., \((- 25) \times (- 5) = 125, \frac{(- 25)}{ (- 5)} = 5\) |
|
| Multiplying/Dividing a negative and a positive number |
Always a negative solution. E.g., \((- 25) \times 5 = - 125, \frac{(- 25)}{5} = - 5, 25 \times (-5) = -125, \frac{25}{(-5)} = -5 \) |