Mason J.

asked • 09/06/16

If you add a negetive number and a positive number will the sum be positive or negative

-13+(35)
This is an example

Arturo O.

Good comments.  I edited my answer to cover cases like 2 + (-2) = 0.
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09/06/16

Arturo O.

And you aroused my curiosity to read IEEE 754.
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09/06/16

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Arturo O. answered • 09/06/16

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That depends on their absolute values.  If the negative number has a greater absolute value than the absolute value of the positive number, the sum will be negative.  If the positive number has a greater absolute value than the absolute value of the negative number, the sum will be positive.  If the negative number and the positive number have the same absolute value, the sum will be zero.
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Mark M.

tutor
The sum could also be 0 (-3) + 3 = 0
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09/06/16

David W.

Note:  "will the sum be positive or negative" is not a complete list of options.  Zero is neither positive nor negative (except in computers -- IEEE 754).
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09/06/16

Olivia P.

thank you
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10/03/22

Olivia P.

The sum could be (-3)+ 3=0 just like mark said
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10/03/22

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