Opposite numbers

When we add #\blue{-2}# and #\green{2}#, the result equals #0#. The same holds for the pairs #\blue{-5}# and #\green{5}#, and #\blue{-100}# and #\green{100}#.

We call these pairs opposite numbers. They are each other's opposite.

Two numbers that are each other's opposite, are equally far removed from #0# on the number line.

In general:

Two numbers are called opposite numbers if their sum equals #0#.

We can find the opposite of a number by adding a minus sign in front of the number. It is important to keep in mind that #- -# is equal to #+#. This means that the opposite of #-8# is equal to #-{-8}=8#.