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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 0.60.6 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.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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