The inequality relations also have a geometric interpretation.

The statement a
b (which
is read �a is greater than b�) means that a is to the right of b, and the statement
c # d (which is
read �c is less than d�) means that c is to the left of d as shown in Figure 1.4.
The symbol
means is less than or equal to, and the symbol means is greater than or equal to.
The property (x) # x can be represented on the number line by following the
sequence of steps shown in Figure 1.5.
1. Choose a point that has a coordinate of x.
2. Locate its opposite, written as x, on the other side of zero.
3. Locate the opposite of x, written as (x), on the other side of zero.
Therefore, we conclude that the opposite of the opposite of any real number is the
number
itself, and we symbolically express this by (x) # x.
Remark: The symbol 1 can be read �negative one,� �the negative of one,� �the
opposite
of one,� or �the additive inverse of one.� The opposite-of and additive-inverse-of
terminology is especially meaningful when working with variables. For example, the
symbol x,
which is read �the opposite of x� or �the additive inverse of x,� emphasizes an
important
issue. Because x can be any real number, x (the opposite of x) can be zero,
positive, or negative. If x is positive, then x is negative. If x is negative, then
x is positive. If x is zero, then
x is zero.
Absolute Value
We can use the concept of absolute value to describe precisely how to operate with
positive and
negative numbers. Geometrically, the absolute value of any number is the distance
between the
number and zero on the number line. For example, the absolute value of 2 is 2. The
absolute
value of 3 is 3. The absolute value of 0 is 0 (see Figure 1.6).
Figure 1.6
Symbolically, absolute value is denoted with vertical bars. Thus we write
02 0 # 2 03 0 # 3 000 # 0
-3 -2 -1 210 3
|0| = 0
|-3| = 3 |2| = 2
-3 -2 -1
-1
-5 -4 0 1 2 3 4 5
(-1) + (-2) = -3
-2
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 012345
- -p - p
1
2
1
2 2 2
12 Chapter 1 � Basic Concepts and Properties
More formally, we define the concept of absolute value as follows:
Definition 1.2
For all real numbers a,
1. If a 0, then 0 a 0 # a.
2. If a # 0, then 0 a 0 # a.
According to Definition 1.2, we obtain
0 6 0 # 6 By applying part 1 of Definition 1.2
0 0 0 # 0 By applying part 1 of Definition 1.2
070 # (7) # 7 By applying part 2 of Definition 1.2
Note that the absolute value of a positive number is the number itself, but the
absolute value
of a negative number is its opposite. Thus the absolute value of any number except
zero is
positive, and the absolute value of zero is zero. Together these facts indicate
that the absolute
value of any real number is equal to the absolute value of its opposite. We
summarize these
ideas in the following properties.
Addition of Real Numbers
Two Positive Numbers The sum of two positive real numbers is the sum of their
absolute values.
Two Negative Numbers The sum of two negative real numbers is the opposite of the
sum of their absolute values.
Properties of Absolute Value
The variables a and b represent any real number.
1. 0 a 0 0
2. 0 a 0 # 0a 0
3. 0 a b 0 # 0b a 0 a b and b a are opposites of each other
Adding Real Numbers
We can use various physical models to describe the addition of real numbers. For
example, profits and losses pertaining to investments: A loss of $25.75 (written as
25.75) on
one investment, along with a profit of $22.20 (written as 22.20) on a second
investment,
produces an overall loss of $3.55. Thus (25.75) 22.20 # 3.55. Think in terms of
profits and losses for each of the following examples.
50 75 # 125 20 (30) # 10
4.3 (6.2) # 10.5 27 43 # 16
Though all problems that involve addition of real numbers could be solved using the
profitloss interpretation, it is sometimes convenient to have a more precise
description of the addition process. For this purpose we use the concept of
absolute value.
3
1
2
a3
1
2
b # 7
7
8
a1
4
b # 5
8
1.2 � Operations with Real Numbers 13
Classroom Example
Find the sum:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d) 36.2 36.2
21 (57)
4
2
3
a1
1
4
b
4.5 6
EXAMPLE 1 Find the sum of the two numbers:
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Solution
(a) (6) (8) # (060 08 0) # (6 8) # 14
(b)
(c) 14 (21) # (021 0 014 0) # (21 14) # 7
(d) 72.4 72.4 # 0
6
3
4
a2
1
2
b # a ` 6
3
4 ` ` 2
1
2 ` b # a6
3
4 2
1
2
b # a6
3
4 2
2
4
b # 4
1
4
6 14 (21) 72.4 72.4
3
4
a2
1
2 (6) (8) b
Subtracting Real Numbers
We can describe the subtraction of real numbers in terms of addition.
One Positive and One Negative Number The sum of a positive real number and a
negative real number can be found by subtracting the smaller absolute value from
the larger
absolute value and giving the result the sign of the original number that has the
larger
absolute value. If the two numbers have the same absolute value, then their sum is
0.
Zero and Another Number The sum of 0 and any real number is the real number itself.
Now consider the following examples in terms of the previous description of
addition.
These examples include operations with rational numbers in common fraction form. If
you
need a review on operations with fractions, see Appendix A.
Subtraction of Real Numbers
If a and b are real numbers, then
a b # a (b)
It may be helpful for you to read a b # a (b) as �a minus b is equal to a plus
the opposite of b.� In other words, every subtraction problem can be changed to an
equivalent addition problem. Consider the following example.
Classroom Example
Find the difference:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d) 5
9 a2
3
b
11.3 (8.7)
3 (15)
6 10
EXAMPLE 2 Find the difference between the two numbers:
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Solution
(a) 7 9 # 7 (9) # 2
(b) 5 (13) # 5 13 # 8
(c) 6.1 (14.2) # 6.1 14.2 # 20.3
(d) 7
8 a 1
4
b # 7
8

1
4 # 7
8

2
8 # 5
8