Opposite number

In mathematics, the opposite or inverse of a number  is an additive or a subtractive number  which, when added to , results in 0. The opposite of  is . For example, −7 is the opposite of 7, because . 

 Definition 
A number  is called an opposite or inverse number of another number  if . By definition,  is the opposite number of . For example,  is the opposite number of  and vice-versa. This is because 

 Properties 
The opposite numbers satisfy the properties listed below.
 The opposite of 0 is 0.
 Two opposite numbers have the same absolute value. This follows from the fact that the  is the opposite number of  and both have the same absolute value .
 The opposite of a positive number is the negative version of the number. The opposite of a negative number is the positive version of the number. 
 opposite numbers are located in the opposite direction on a number line having the same distance from the origin. That is, they are symmetric about the origin on a number line.
 The sum of two opposite numbers is always zero, because  
 The division of two non-zero opposite numbers is always , because  
 Each number has a unique opposite number.

 Related pages 

 Addition
Reciprocal
Absolute value
Operation (mathematics)

 References 



Category:Numbers
Category:Arithmetics
Category:Algebra