7th Grade · The Number System

Sum

7.NS.A.1b

Definition

The result of addition. Same signs: add the absolute values and keep the sign. Different signs: subtract the absolute values and use the sign of the larger.

Examples

  • (-3) + (-5) = -8 (same signs).
  • (-7) + 4 = -3 (different signs).

Key rule

Find the absolute values first, then apply the sign rule.

Memory hook

Same signs add, different signs subtract.