Adding Negatives
We want to explore how to add and subtract negative numbers. Let's start by getting comfortable with addition. Using the applet below, try to add two positive numbers.
How does this applet show addition working? Explain what is happening in your own words.
Now that we are comfortable with adding positives, let's look at adding a positive and a negative. Use the applet below to investigate what happens if one slider is positive and the other is negative.
In general, when adding a positive and a negative, we subtract the two numbers, and then use the sign of the number with the largest magnitude. Explain how you see this process working in the applet.
Finally, let's look at adding two negatives. Use the applet below to investigate what happens if we add two negative numbers.
In general, when adding two negatives, we add the magnitude of the two numbers, and then make the result negative. Explain how you see this process working in the applet.