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Inverse Property of Addition
Inverse property of addition:
a+(−a)=(−a)+a=0
−a is called the additive inverse of a.
Inverse property is true for any real number a.
Notice, that we wrote, that a+(−a)=(−a)+a. This is true, according to the commutative property of addition.
Example 1. Additive inverse of 35 is −35, because 35+(−35)=0.
Example 2. Additive inverse of −2 is 2, because (−2)+2=0.
Example 3. 2.57+(−2.57)=(−2.57)+2.57=0.
Conclusion. Additive inverse of the number a is a number, that has the same value as a, but different sign, i.e. −a.