Key learning points

1. It can help to think of a context when doing a calculation.
2. Addition of negative integers can be made easier by considering zero pairs.
3. Addition of large negative integers can be made easier using partioning to make zero pairs.

Keywords

• Additive inverse - The additive inverse of a number is a number that, when added to the original number, gives the sum of 0.

• Zero pair - A number and its additive inverse make a zero pair.

• Absolute value - The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero. E.g. 5 and (−5) are both 5 away from zero and so both have an absolute value of 5

Common misconception