The situation that describes opposite quantities that when combined equal zero is when you have a pair of numbers that are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign. For example:
- If you have +5 and -5, combining them (5 + (-5)) results in 0.
- Similarly, +10 and -10 also combine to equal zero (10 + (-10) = 0).
This concept is often illustrated with the idea of gaining and losing the same amount, such as earning $10 (gain) and then spending $10 (loss), which ultimately results in no net change (zero).