Algebra Demystified 2nd Ed

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chapter 4 Negative Numbers

Negative numbers arise all around us. They represent the number necessary to

bring a quantity up to 0. In this chapter, we will learn rules for performing

arithmetic with negative numbers. We will also learn how to rewrite a subtrac-

tion problem as an addition problem, a technique that is useful for solving

equations.

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

In this chapter, you will

• To perform arithmetic with negative numbers


• To rewrite subtraction problems as addition problems


• To write the negative of a number or variable