Question

Describe how to find the sums -4+2 and -4+(-2) on a number line.

Answer 1

Answer: Make a number line. Start at 0. For -4+2 you go back 4 on a number line. Then you add 2. You will end up on -2. For -4+(-2) you start at 0. You go back 4 until you reach -4, then you go back another 2. You should end up on -6.

Answer 2

For -4+2, plot -4, then move to the right 2 spaces. You should land on -2.

For -4+(-2), plot -4 then move the left 2 spaces. You should land on -6.