SAT Math : How to add negative numbers

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #691 : Arithmetic

Add:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Anytime a negative number is added, it is similar to subtraction.  Recovert the expression to the correct form.  Simplify.

The correct answer is .

Example Question #2 : How To Add Negative Numbers

Add the negative numbers:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to add the negative numbers, we need to eliminate the double signs and the parentheses.  A positive and a negative sign will result in a negative sign.

Evaluate the terms on the right.

The answer is:  

Example Question #1 : How To Add Negative Numbers

a, b, c are integers.

abc < 0

ab > 0

bc > 0

Which of the following must be true?

Possible Answers:

ac < 0

b > 0

a > 0

a – b > 0

a + b < 0

Correct answer:

a + b < 0

Explanation:

Let's reductively consider what this data tells us.

Consider each group (a,b,c) as a group of signs.

From abc < 0, we know that the following are possible:

(–, +, +), (+, –, +), (+, +, –), (–, –, –)

From ab > 0, we know that we must eliminate (–, +, +) and (+, –, +)

From bc > 0, we know that we must eliminate (+, +, –)

Therefore, any of our answers must hold for (–, –, –)

This eliminates immediately a > 0, b > 0

Likewise, it eliminates a – b > 0 because we do not know the relative sizes of a and b. This could therefore be positive or negative.

Finally, ac is a product of negatives and is therefore positive. Hence ac < 0 does not hold.

We are left with a + b < 0, which is true, for two negatives added must be negative.

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