Solve (-14) + (-13): Adding Negative Numbers on a Number Line

Q: Why do I move left when I see a plus sign?

The plus sign means 'add', but you're adding negative 13. Think of it as 'add negative 13 steps' which means move left 13 positions on the number line.

Q: How is this different from subtraction?

$ (-14) + (-13) $ and $ (-14) - 13 $ give the same answer! Adding a negative number is the same as subtracting a positive number.

Q: What if I can't see all the numbers on the number line?

You can count the steps instead! Start at -14, count 13 steps left: -15, -16, -17... until you reach -27. The counting method always works.

Q: Why is the answer more negative?

When you add negative numbers, you get further from zero. Think of it as debt: owing $14 plus owing $13 more means you owe $27 total!

Q: How do I remember which direction to move?

Positive numbers: Move RIGHT (toward positive)Negative numbers: Move LEFT (toward negative)The operation sign tells you to 'add' or 'subtract', but the number's sign tells you the direction!

Adding Negative Numbers with Number Line

Solve the following equation using the number line below:

$(-14)+(-13)=$

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:03 Let's start from point (-14) on the axis

00:07 The number is directed and negative

00:10 The negative direction on the axis is to the left, so we'll take 13 to the left

00:36 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Solve the following equation using the number line below:

$(-14)+(-13)=$

Step-by-step solution

Let's first locate the number negative 14 on the number line.

Now let's look at the operation in the exercise, since the operation is $+(-13)$

Given that negative 13 is less than 0, we will move thirteen steps to the left from negative 14, where each step represents one whole number as follows:

We can see that the number we reached is negative 27.

Final Answer

$-27$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Adding a negative number means moving left on number line
Technique: Start at -14, move left 13 steps: $(-14) + (-13) = -27$
Check: Count steps from -14 to -27 equals 13 positions left ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Moving right when adding negative numbers
Don't move right when seeing + sign = wrong positive answer! The + means 'add' but (-13) is still negative. Always move LEFT when adding any negative number, regardless of the + sign.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

a is negative number.

b is negative number.

What is the sum of a+b?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I move left when I see a plus sign?

The plus sign means 'add', but you're adding negative 13. Think of it as 'add negative 13 steps' which means move left 13 positions on the number line.

How is this different from subtraction?

$(-14) + (-13)$ and $(-14) - 13$ give the same answer! Adding a negative number is the same as subtracting a positive number.

What if I can't see all the numbers on the number line?

You can count the steps instead! Start at -14, count 13 steps left: -15, -16, -17... until you reach -27. The counting method always works.

Why is the answer more negative?

When you add negative numbers, you get further from zero. Think of it as debt: owing $14 plus owing$ 13 more means you owe $27 total!

How do I remember which direction to move?

Positive numbers: Move RIGHT (toward positive)
Negative numbers: Move LEFT (toward negative)
The operation sign tells you to 'add' or 'subtract', but the number's sign tells you the direction!

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Signed Numbers (Positive and Negative) questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime