Topic Details (Notes format)

How to Work with Negative Numbers (Addition and Subtraction)

Subject: Mathematics

Book: Maths Mastery

Adding and subtracting negative numbers requires careful attention to signs. For addition: if both numbers share the same sign, add their absolute values and keep that sign. For example, (–3) + (–5) = –8. If signs differ, subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger and keep the sign of the larger absolute value: (–7) + 4 = –3. Subtraction can be converted to addition of the opposite: a – b = a + (–b). Understanding negative numbers is vital in contexts like temperature changes, financial debts, or coordinate geometry. Frequent practice cements your skill, preventing sign errors in more advanced algebraic operations.

Practice Questions

A sum triples in 20 years at simple interest. What is the rate of interest per annum?

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A number is increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net change?

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A man rows downstream at 6 km/h and upstream at 4 km/h. What is the speed of the stream?

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If two complementary angles differ by 30°, what are the angles?

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If x = 3 and y = 4, what is the value of x^2 + y^2?

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If a right triangle has legs of 9 cm and 12 cm, what is the length of the hypotenuse?

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If the sum of three consecutive integers is 96, what are the integers?

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If the sides of a triangle are 6 cm, 8 cm, and 10 cm, what is the area of the triangle?

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What is the sum of all angles in a hexagon?

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What is the area of a sector of a circle with radius 14 cm and central angle 90°?

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