Positive and negative numbers

Last updated: 26 Nov 2008

Positive numbers are all the numbers greater than zero.

Negative numbers are all the numbers less than zero.

Zero is neither positive nor negative.

If $mathematical expression$ and $mathematical expression$ are both positive then $mathematical expression$ , $mathematical expression$ and $mathematical expression$ are all positive. For example

$mathematical expression$
If $mathematical expression$ and $mathematical expression$ are both negative then $mathematical expression$ is negative and $mathematical expression$ and $mathematical expression$ are both positive. For example

$mathematical expression$
If $mathematical expression$ is positive and $mathematical expression$ is negative then $mathematical expression$ and $mathematical expression$ are both negative. For example

$mathematical expression$

Comments (3):

Can you please assist in the below...
1)Considering rule 2, What would be the outcome of -9 -(-3)=?
2)Considering rule 3, What would be the outcome of (+8)+(-4)=?
3)Considering rule 3, What would be the outcome of (+8)-(-4)=?

hrishikeshgmat on 20 Mar 2009 (permalink)
hrishikeshgmat,

The rules on this page apply to any value of x and y and so can be very useful particularly in data sufficiency questions when you may not know the values.

There are no general rules for the examples you have given for example a negative number minus another negative number could be positive, zero or negative.

The answers to the particular sums you have asked about are

1) -9 - (-3) = -9 + 3 = -6

2) 8 + (-4) = 8 - 4 = 4

3) 8 - (-4) = 8 + 4 = 12

joel on 20 Mar 2009 (permalink)
i have problems in trying to interpret intergers and real number interms of word problem.. please have a tutorial on that aspect...

alola on 10 Dec 2009 (permalink)

You must log in or register to add a comment.