When calculating the sum of two numbers with different sign, we subtract the lesser absolute value from the greater absolute value.
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Practice makes perfect
We want to find the sum and use the number line to verify our answer. Let's look at the given expression!
5+( - 7)Now, we can find the sum of two numbers with different signs. We can do so by subtracting the lesser absolute value from the greater absolute value. Then, we can use the sign of the number with the greater absolute value. First, let's calculate the absolute value of the numbers.
| 5|=5and| - 7|=7
Notice that | - 7| is greater than | 5|. This means that we should subtract | 5| from | - 7|. Let's do it!
Recall that the number with the greater absolute value is negative. This means that the sum is also a negative number, - 2.
Checking Our Answer
Checking Our Answer
We will check our solution, just to be sure. To do so, we will represent the situation on the number line.
Looking at the diagram, we can see that the top arrow ends at 2. This means that the result of adding - 7 to 5 is equal to 2. Therefore, our answer is correct.
