What is the sum of a number and its opposite?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the sum of a number and its opposite, which in mathematical terms means adding a number, say 'x', and its opposite, which is '-x'. The result will always be zero.
Answer
$0$
Answer for screen readers
The sum of a number and its opposite is $0$.
Steps to Solve
- Define the variables
Let's represent the number as $x$. The opposite of this number is $-x$.
- Set up the equation
We want to find the sum of the number and its opposite. Therefore, we can express this as:
$$ x + (-x) $$
- Simplify the equation
When we add $x$ and $-x$, we can see that they cancel each other out:
$$ x + (-x) = 0 $$
- Final conclusion
Thus, the sum of a number and its opposite is always equal to zero.
The sum of a number and its opposite is $0$.
More Information
This concept reflects a fundamental principle in mathematics known as additive inverse, where a number and its negative result in zero. This principle is used frequently in algebra and is a pivotal part of solving equations.
Tips
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