Mathwarehouse Logo

Definition of Additive Inverse

Ask yourself, what can I add to real number, which we'll call $$a $$, so that the resulting sum is zero. The answer is $$-a $$.

The additive inverse of any number $$ a $$ is $$-a $$.

Examples of Additive Inverses

Number Additive Inverse
10 -10
½
-5 5
¾
$$ \frac a b $$ $$ - \frac a b $$
$$ - \frac c d $$ $$ \frac c d $$
Next to Other Properties