Additive inverse explained

In mathematics, the additive inverse of an element, denoted ^[1], is the element that when added to, yields the additive identity, 0^[2] . In the most familiar cases, this is the number 0, but it can also refer to a more generalized zero element.

In elementary mathematics, the additive inverse is often referred to as the opposite number^[3] ^[4] . The concept is closely related to subtraction^[5] and is important in solving algebraic equations^[6] . Not all sets where addition is defined have an additive inverse, such as the natural numbers^[7] .

Common Examples

When working with integers, rational numbers, real numbers, and complex numbers, the additive inverse of any number can be found by multiplying it by −1.

Simple Cases of Additive Inverses!

-n

-7

0.35

-0.35

	1
	4

-	1
	4

\pi

-\pi

1+2i

-1-2i

The concept can also be extended to algebraic expressions, which is often used when balancing equations.

Additive Inverses of Algebraic Expressions!

-n

a-b

-(a-b)=-a+b

2x²+5

-(2x^2 + 5) = -2x^2 - 5

	1
	x+2

-	1
	x+2

\sqrt{2}\sin{\theta}-\sqrt{3}\cos{2\theta}

-(\sqrt{2}\sin{\theta}-\sqrt{3}\cos{2\theta})=-\sqrt{2}\sin{\theta}+\sqrt{3}\cos{2\theta}

Relation to Subtraction

The additive inverse is closely related to subtraction, which can be viewed as an addition using the inverse:

.Conversely, the additive inverse can be thought of as subtraction from zero:

.This connection lead to the minus sign being used for both opposite magnitudes and subtraction as far back as the 17th century. While this notation is standard today, it was met with opposition at the time, as some mathematicians felt it could be unclear and lead to errors.^[8]

Formal Definition

Given an algebraic structure defined under addition

(S,+)

with an additive identity

e\inS

, an element

x\inS

has an additive inverse

if and only if

y\inS

x+y=e

, and

y+x=e

Addition is typically only used to refer to a commutative operation, but it is not necessarily associative. When it is associative, so

(a+b)+c=a+(b+c)

, the left and right inverses, if they exist, will agree, and the additive inverse will be unique. In non-associative cases, the left and right inverses may disagree, and in these cases, the inverse is not considered to exist.

The definition requires closure, that the additive element

be found in

. This is why despite addition being defined over the natural numbers, it does not an additive inverse for its members. The associated inverses would be the negative numbers, which is why the integers do have an additive inverse.

Further Examples

In a vector space, the additive inverse (often called the opposite vector of) has the same magnitude as and but the opposite direction.
In modular arithmetic, the modular additive inverse of is the number such that and always exists. For example, the inverse of 3 modulo 11 is 8, as .^[9]
In a Boolean ring, which has elements

\{0,1\}

addition is often defined as the symmetric difference. So

0+0=0

0+1=1

1+0=1

, and

1+1=0

. Our additive identity is 0, and both elements are their own additive inverse as