What are the rules for adding positive and negative numbers?
Christopher Snyder
Updated on May 28, 2026
| Rule | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| +(+) | Two like signs become a positive sign | 3+(+2) = 3 + 2 = 5 |
| −(−) | 6−(−3) = 6 + 3 = 9 | |
| +(−) | Two unlike signs become a negative sign | 7+(−2) = 7 − 2 = 5 |
| −(+) | 8−(+2) = 8 − 2 = 6 |
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Also to know is, how do you add positive and negative numbers?
Adding Positive and Negative Numbers
- Rule 1: Adding positive numbers to positive numbers—it's just normal addition.
- Rule 2: Adding positive numbers to negative numbers—count forward the amount you're adding.
- Rule 3: Adding negative numbers to positive numbers—count backwards, as if you were subtracting.
Beside above, do 2 negatives make a positive? When you have two negative signs, one turns over, and they add together to make a positive. If you have a positive and a negative, there is one dash left over, and the answer is negative.
Then, how do negative and positive numbers work?
To get a negative number, you need one negative and one positive number. The rule works the same way when you have more than two numbers to multiply or divide. An even number of negative numbers will give a positive answer. An odd number of negative numbers will give a negative answer.
Can the sum of two negative numbers ever be positive?
Rule: The sum of any integer and its opposite is equal to zero. Summary: Adding two positive integers always yields a positive sum; adding two negative integers always yields a negative sum.
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