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Definition

The minus sign, or hyphen, is a mathematical symbol used to represent subtraction. It is a fundamental operator in numerical calculations and expressions, allowing for the reduction of one value from another.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The minus sign is used to indicate the direction of a numerical change, representing a decrease or a negative value.
2. Subtraction is one of the four basic arithmetic operations, along with addition, multiplication, and division.
3. Negative numbers are used to represent quantities less than zero, such as temperatures below freezing or financial losses.
4. The minus sign is also used to denote the opposite or inverse of a value, as in the case of additive inverses (e.g., -5 is the additive inverse of 5).
5. Proper placement and usage of the minus sign is crucial in mathematical expressions to ensure accurate calculations and avoid ambiguity.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the minus sign in numerical calculations and expressions.
  • The minus sign plays a crucial role in numerical calculations and expressions. It represents the subtraction operation, allowing for the reduction of one value from another to find the difference. The minus sign is also used to indicate negative numbers, which are numbers less than zero. Proper placement and usage of the minus sign is essential to ensure accurate calculations and avoid ambiguity in mathematical expressions.
• Describe the relationship between the minus sign and the concept of additive inverses.
  • The minus sign is used to denote the additive inverse of a value. The additive inverse of a number is the number that, when added to the original number, results in a sum of zero. For example, -5 is the additive inverse of 5, as 5 + (-5) = 0. Understanding the concept of additive inverses and their representation using the minus sign is crucial in performing algebraic operations and simplifying mathematical expressions.
• Analyze the importance of the minus sign in the context of the four basic arithmetic operations.
  • The minus sign is a fundamental operator in the four basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In subtraction, the minus sign is used to indicate the removal of one value from another. In the case of negative numbers, the minus sign represents a quantity less than zero. Additionally, the minus sign is used to denote the inverse or opposite of a value, which is essential in performing algebraic operations and manipulating mathematical expressions. The proper understanding and application of the minus sign is crucial for accurately solving numerical problems and navigating the various arithmetic operations.

Related terms

Subtraction: The mathematical operation of removing one number from another to find the difference.

Negative Numbers: Numbers that are less than zero, represented by a minus sign preceding the numerical value.

Arithmetic: The branch of mathematics concerned with the manipulation of numbers through operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.