Learn Before
Example

Finding the Additive Inverse of Fractions, Decimals, and Negative Numbers

To find the additive inverse of any number, determine its opposite—the value that, when added to it, gives zero.

  • Positive fraction: The additive inverse of 58\frac{5}{8} is 58-\frac{5}{8}, because 58+(58)=0\frac{5}{8} + \left(-\frac{5}{8}\right) = 0.
  • Positive decimal: The additive inverse of 0.6 is 0.6-0.6, because 0.6+(0.6)=00.6 + (-0.6) = 0.
  • Negative integer: The additive inverse of 8-8 is 88. Writing the opposite of 8-8 as (8)-(-8) and simplifying gives 88, since 8+8=0-8 + 8 = 0.
  • Negative fraction: The additive inverse of 43-\frac{4}{3} is 43\frac{4}{3}. Writing the opposite as (43)-\left(-\frac{4}{3}\right) and simplifying gives 43\frac{4}{3}, since 43+43=0-\frac{4}{3} + \frac{4}{3} = 0.

Notice that the additive inverse of a positive number is always negative, and the additive inverse of a negative number is always positive. The procedure works identically for integers, fractions, and decimals: negate the given number to obtain its additive inverse.

0

1

Updated 2026-06-26

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.1 Foundations - Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Math

Prealgebra

Related
Learn After