Jim's Math Corner by James W. Leonardi
Middle School   Home Ratios & Porportions Portions, Bases, Rates Prime Numbers Signs Square Roots	SIGNS Here we will concentrate on plus (+) and minus (-) signs. A plus (+) sign indicates that we have a number greater than zero on the number line. Quite often, we will say "positive number". An example might be + 5 (see number line below). The plus (+) also tells us to add the number following the plus (+) sign. If we have 3 + 5, this means add 5 to 3, so plus (+) sign also indicates addition. If a number doesn't have a sign preceding it, the sign is an understood plus (+). llllllllll -5 -4 l-3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 + > 0 __|| _ | _ | _| _ | _| __| __| __| __| __| - < 0 A minus (-) sign indicates that we have a number less than zero on the number line. Quite often we will say "negative number". An example might be - 4 (see number line above). A minus (-) also indicates subtraction. The minus (-) also tells us to subtract the number following the minus (-) sign. If we have 7 - 4, this means subtract 4 from 7, so the minus (-) also indicates subtraction. If we want to indicate a problem is subtraction; we must have a negative sign (-) preceding the number we want to subtract. If we want to tell someone that the number is less than zero (0), we must write the number preceded by a minus sign (-). This should help those who just needed a review or a jump start for the "A" student. If you are like most of us, you will need a more indepth study and more examples. I have kept the price down so everyone who needs help can afford it. For more indepth FREE help download this file (in word 97 format).