Question

Find the sum.

– 11 + (– 2)

Short answer

Answer is – 13

Step-by-step solution

Apply the concept of adding or subtracting integers 

Rule: The sum of any integer and its opposite is equal to zero.

Explanation: Adding two positive integers always yields a positive sum; adding two negative integers always yields a negative sum. To find the sum of a positive and a negative integer, take the absolute value of each integer and then subtract these values.

Explanation: How to add or subtract the integers.

To add two numbers with the same sign, first add the two numbers ignoring the sign and then put their common sign before the answer.

To add two numbers with the opposite sign, ignore their signs and subtract the smaller number from the bigger number. Then put the sign of the bigger number before the answer.

Find the sum – 11 + (– 2 ) 

To add two integers, we need the signs of those two integers.

Rule: If they are with the same sign (positive or negative),first add the two numbers ignoring the sign and then put their common sign (positive or negative) before the answer.

Here both the integers are negative; simply add the integers and the answer will be negative. – 11 + (– 2) = – 11 – 2 = – 13

Use a number line to find the sum:  – 11 + (– 2)   

Draw the number line and locate the first integer – 11, then move 2 (2^nd integer) units to the left from the location of – 11 . The answer will be the point you end on.

Evaluate: – 11 + (– 2 ) = – 11 – 2 = – 13