When adding a long string of positives and negatives, such as $(-4)+(+9)+(+4)+(-2)$, there are two very common approaches:
Both methods work, but depending on the numbers involved sometimes one method is easier than the other. |
Example 1: $(-4)+(+9)+(+4)+(-2)=$
Method 1: Collecting "like" signs | Method 2: Collecting "opposite" signs |
Example 1a |
Example 1b |
Example 2: $(+3)+(-5)+(-9)+(+5)+(-3)=$
Method 1: Collecting "like" signs | Method 2: Collecting "opposite" signs |
Example 2a |
Example 2b |
Question 1 Find the sum: $(-3)+(-7)+(+4)+(+7)+(+3)=$ |
[show answer] |
Question 2 Find the sum: $(+13)+(-4)+(+7)+(-13)=$ |
[show answer] |
Question 3 Find the sum: $(-4)+(+9)+(+2)+(-5)=$ |
[show answer] |