Addition & Subtraction Review-

Positives and Negatives-

1. Change two negative signs that are next to each other to one plus sign
2. Change a negative and positive sign that are next to each other to one negative sign
3. When combining a positive and a negative:
a. Subtract the smaller number from the bigger one (ignoring the signs)
b. Use the sign of the bigger number for the answer

-17 - (-5)
-17 + 5 the two negative signs in front of 5 become a plus
17 -5 = 12 subtract smaller from larger (5 is smaller than 17)
-12 In the actual problem the bigger number (17) was negative

4. When combining a two numbers with the same sign:

a. Add the numbers (ignoring the signs)
b. Use the sign of the numbers for the answer

-17 - (5) note that (5) is the same as (+5)

-17 - 5 the negative and positive signs in front of 5 become a negative
17 + 5 = 12 subtract smaller from larger (5 is smaller than 17)
-12 In the actual problem the numbers had negative signs
Decimals-
1. Line up the decimal points
2. Fill in with zeros to the right to make decimal places
3. Add or subtract, bringing down the decimal point
-9.7 + 28.31
28.31 subtract smaller (9.7) from larger (28.31)
- 9.70 add a zero so that all lines have two decimal places
18.61 bring down the decimal place
Fractions-
1. Change mixed numbers to improper fractions
2. Get a common denominator
3. Add or subtract the numerators and use the common denominator
4. Reduce if possible
1 1 4
+1 −
4 2 3
1 3 4
+ − change mixed to improper
4 2 3
3 18 16
+ − get common denominator
12 12 12
21 16
− add and subtract the numerators
12 12
 5
12