Integer Numbers
Concept

Additive Inverse

The additive inverse of a number is another number such that their sum equals 0. If y is the additive inverse of x, then the following equation holds true.


x+y=0

Given a number, its additive inverse — also called opposite number — can be found by changing the sign. Some examples of additive inverses are listed in the table.

Number Additive Inverse Sum
5 - 5 5+(- 5)=0
- 21 21 - 21+21=0
0 - 0 0+(- 0)=0
a - a a+(- a)=0
- b b - b+b=0
Exercises