A yellow counter is +1 and a red counter is −1. Which addition, with its answer, do the two groups of counters show?
Class 6IntegersIntegers
A(+4)+(+9)=13
B(−4)+(+9)=5
C(+4)+(−9)=−5
D(+4)+(−9)=−13
Step-by-Step Solution
Group A is +4 and Group B is −9. 4 zero pairs cancel, leaving 5 red counters: (+4)+(−9)=−5.
Answer: C) (+4)+(−9)=−5
Key idea: Adding integers — different signs
When two integers have **different signs**, subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger one and keep the sign of the larger absolute value. So 7 + (−3) = 4 (|7| > |−3|, so the answer is positive 4), and (−7) + 3 = −4 (|−7| > |3|, so the answer is negative 4). On the number line: a positive number moves right, a negative number moves left — they partially cancel.
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