Mathematics ACT Aspire Practice Test

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Study for the Mathematics ACT Aspire Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to boost your exam readiness. Ace your math test effortlessly!

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When adding two integers with different signs, how is the sign determined?

By the sign of the first number
By the absolute value of the larger number
It is always positive
It is always negative

The correct answer is: By the absolute value of the larger number

When adding two integers with different signs, the resulting sign is determined by the absolute value of the larger number. To understand this concept, consider that when you add a positive integer to a negative integer, you are effectively finding the difference between the two numbers. The integer with the larger absolute value dictates the sign of the sum. For instance, if you add -7 and +3, you calculate the absolute values, which are 7 and 3. Since -7 has a larger absolute value than +3, the result will be negative, specifically -4. Conversely, if you add -3 and +7, since +7 has a larger absolute value, the result will be positive, specifically +4. This method of evaluating the absolute values informs you of which integer dominates in size and thus determines the sign of the final sum.