Question

Match the following
(Here x and y can be either a positive , negative or zero)

• A. x
• B. y - x
• C. -(y - x)
• D. -(x + y)

Answer 1

i.) The negative of the negative of a number is that number itself.
i.e. -(-x) = x
Example : -(-5) = 5

ii.) For any number, adding of the first to the second is equal to the adding of the second to the first.
i.e. -x + y = y - x
Example : -3 + 5 = 5 - 3 = 2

iii.) For any two numbers, subtracting one from another is equal to the negative of the subtracting in reverse.
i.e. x - y = -(y - x)
Example : 2 - 8 = -(8 - 2) = -6

iv.) For any two positive numbers subtracting the second from the negative of the first, means find the negative of their sum. i.e.
- x - y = - (x + y)
Example : -3 -2 = -(3 + 2) = - (5) = 5