Difference between revisions of "Additive inverse"

(Created page with "The additive inverse of a number is the number which sums to <math>0</math> with the other number. If we have: <cmath>a+b=0,</cmath> we can say that <math>b=-a.</math> Thu...")
 
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If we have:
 
If we have:
<cmath>a+b=0,</cmath>  
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<cmath>a + b = 0,</cmath>  
  
we can say that <math>b=-a.</math>
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we can say that <math>b = -a.</math>
 
Thus, <math>b</math> is the additive inverse of <math>a.</math>  
 
Thus, <math>b</math> is the additive inverse of <math>a.</math>  
  
 
Examples include <math>3</math> and <math>-3</math> or <math>0.5</math> and <math>-0.5.</math>
 
Examples include <math>3</math> and <math>-3</math> or <math>0.5</math> and <math>-0.5.</math>
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== Overview ==
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In mathematics, the additive inverse of a number <math>a</math> is the number that, when added to <math>a</math>, yields zero. This operation is also known as the opposite (number), sign change, and negation. For a real number, it reverses its sign: the opposite of a positive number is negative, and the opposite of a negative number is positive. Zero is the additive inverse of itself.
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The additive inverse of <math>a</math> is denoted by unary minus: <math>-a</math>. For example, the additive inverse of <math>7</math> is <math>-7</math>, because <math>7 + (-7) = 0</math>, and the additive inverse of <math>-0.3</math> is <math>0.3</math>, because <math>-0.3 + 0.3 = 0</math>.
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The additive inverse is defined as its inverse element under the binary operation of addition, which allows a broad generalization to mathematical objects other than numbers. As for any inverse operation, the double additive inverse has no effect: <math>-( -x ) = x.</math>
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[[Category:Mathematics]]

Latest revision as of 19:25, 23 July 2025

The additive inverse of a number is the number which sums to $0$ with the other number.

If we have: \[a + b = 0,\]

we can say that $b = -a.$ Thus, $b$ is the additive inverse of $a.$

Examples include $3$ and $-3$ or $0.5$ and $-0.5.$

Overview

In mathematics, the additive inverse of a number $a$ is the number that, when added to $a$, yields zero. This operation is also known as the opposite (number), sign change, and negation. For a real number, it reverses its sign: the opposite of a positive number is negative, and the opposite of a negative number is positive. Zero is the additive inverse of itself.

The additive inverse of $a$ is denoted by unary minus: $-a$. For example, the additive inverse of $7$ is $-7$, because $7 + (-7) = 0$, and the additive inverse of $-0.3$ is $0.3$, because $-0.3 + 0.3 = 0$.

The additive inverse is defined as its inverse element under the binary operation of addition, which allows a broad generalization to mathematical objects other than numbers. As for any inverse operation, the double additive inverse has no effect: $-( -x ) = x.$

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