IXL | Integer addition and subtraction rules

Is ^–38 + ^–5 positive or negative?

positive

negative

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Learn with an example

question

Is 56 − ^–5 positive or negative?

positive

negative

key idea

Instead of subtracting a number, you can add its opposite.

solution

Since you are subtracting a negative number, add a positive number instead:

56 − ^–5 = 56 + 5

Now you have the sum of two positive numbers. When you add two positive numbers, the result is positive.

You can check your answer by doing the math.

56 − ^–5 = 61

As you can see, the result is positive.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Adding and subtracting integers

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B.3Integer addition rules

B.8Integer subtraction rules

Lesson: Adding and subtracting integers

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