Ukuba abantu bongeza inani eli-negative kwelinye inani, oko kuyinto enye nokususa okanye ukuthabatha kweli nani li-positive ngokwale ndlela alandelelana ngayo amanani (ukulandelelana kwamanani kubizwa ngokuba zii-numerals). Umzekelo, 5 + (−3) is the same as 5− 3, and equals 2. Khumbula ke, xa inani lingenaphawu lungu +, loo nto ithetha ukuba inani li-positive. Kodwa lona eli-negative liyakuhlala linophawu elingu -