Course Number: MAT100-006016 Class Discussion - Chapter Two Week Two: July 2 through July 8, 2007 The opposite,

or additive inverse, of any integer is its reflection across 0 on the number line. To find the opposite of a number, we can change its sign. If X is 5, to find -X, we reflect 5 across 0. Thus, the opposite of 5 is -5, or - (5) = -5. True or false? True. Why? Answer: The opposite additive inverse of any integers is its reflection across the zero [0] on the number line. To find the opposite of a number we can change the sign. How do we change the sign? We change sign by finding the opposite of a number, known as the additive inverse (Reckaitis). An additive inverse has the same magnitude but different signs and can be represented on the number line (Tobey, 2002, page 69). A set of whole numbers form the set of integers. To create the set of integers, we begin with the set of whole numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 and so on. For each number 1, 2, 3 and so on, we do obtain a new number that is the same number of units to the left of zero (Salter, 2004, page 141). Integers consist of the whole numbers and the new numbers. The two types of integers are positive and negative. Integer is defined as the set of whole numbers along with their opposites (Saltzer, 2004, page 141-144). If x is equal to 5, to find x, we reflect 5 across. Thus, the opposites of 5 is -5, or (5) = -5. True. However, to multiply a positive integer and a negative, multiply their absolute values and make the answer negative (Saltzer, 2003, page 163). The absolute value of a number is the rule that a positive number or zero is the number itself. On the other hand, a negative number, it must be made positive. Example: | x | = x 0, but | x | = x if x < 0. Lastly, it is important not to confuse parentheses with absolute value symbols. Multiplication can be indicated in four ways in Algebra: [a x b], [(a) (b)], [a b]. I am mere familiar with the cross x and the adjacent parentheses method (a) (b). Thus 2a means 2 times a, and ab means a times b. A good example of an integer is the following: Researcher Robert Ballard discovered the wreck of the Titanic 12, 500 ft below sea level (page 141). Cited references: Abraham Sperling, Ph. D. and Monroe Stuart. (1991). Mathematics Made Simple, 5th ed. New York: Doubleday. Math100: Fundamentals of Mathematics. (2004). 2nd Custom Edition. Brian K. Saltzer, ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Hall. In Bittinger, M.L., and Ellenbogen, D.J. (2004). Prealgebra, 4th edition. Boston: Addison Wesley. In Hutchison, d. and Yannotta, M. (2004). Mathematics for New Technologies. Boston: Addison Wesley. In Hutchison, D. and

Sanders, Thalia C.

Class Discussion

Page 1 of 2

Yannotta, M. (2004). Instructors Solutions Manual for Mathematics for New Technologies. Boston: Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0-536-98801-3. Toby, J. and Slater, J. (2002). Beginning Algebra. ISBN: 0-13-093228-0, 5TH ED. Upper Saddle River, NJ 070458: Prentice Hall. http://www.prenhall.com/tobey.

Sanders, Thalia C.

Class Discussion

Page 2 of 2