The sum of a positive number and a negative number is always sometimes or never negative

1 answer

The sum of a positive number and a negative number is sometimes negative. This depends on the relative magnitudes of the positive and negative numbers.

  • If the positive number is larger in absolute value than the negative number, the sum will be positive.
  • If the negative number is larger in absolute value than the positive number, the sum will be negative.
  • If they are equal in absolute value, the sum will be zero.

Thus, it’s correct to say that the sum is sometimes negative.