TO ADD OR NOT TO ADD

Contributed by Maria Cherry Lyn S. Regala – Luakan National High School, Dinalupihan, Bataan

At an early stage in the primary level, learners are taught how to add and subtract numbers using different methods and techniques. Preschoolers are taught to combine or take away objects to better teach them the concept of the two operations. Elementary students are gradually introduced to the operations by adding levels of complexity on the given – from single digit numbers to double digits and so on. Also, they are taught the difference between adding and subtracting two quantities.

However, as they approach the world of integers (or signed numbers), confusion is the primary feeling developed in the learners.

Learners become confused on the application of the operations from plain counting numbers to positive and negative signed numbers. In basic addition, 7 plus 8 is simply 15. But in addition of integers, several answers may come up depending on the sign affixed to the numbers.

Look at these examples:

(+7)   +    (+8)   =     (+15)

(-7)   +    (-8)   =     (-15)

(+7)   +    (-8)   =     (-1)

(-7)   +    (+8)   =     (+1)

And there goes the dilemma “to add or not to add”.

But actually, it is but simple to perform the task of adding integers. Learners must only familiarize themselves and know by heart the rules in adding integers.

To add integers with the same sign, simply add the absolute value of the integers and copy their common sign.

To add integers with different signs, subtract the absolute value of the integers and copy the sign of the integer with the greater absolute value. (Note: the absolute value of a number is the value of the number regardless of the sign or its distance from the origin on the number line.)

Also, to avoid confusion, instead of using the word “ADD”, it is better to make use of the verb “COMBINE” to denote the operation. Thus, learners will not just stick to addition itself, but will also recall that subtraction may also take place.

And lastly, as every mathematical skill, addition of integers cannot be mastered in just an hour. Drills and exercises must be conducted by teachers to hone the learners’ skills in performing such operations.

To add or not to add, that is the question.