What is the opposite of a number ? Definition and examples.

The opposite of a number x, also called additive inverse of a number x, is the number -x such that x + -x = 0.

For example, the opposite of 8 or the additive inverse of 8 is -8 because 8 + - 8 = 0.

You can also say that the opposite of -8 or the additive inverse of -8 is 8.

You can also define opposites as numbers that are the same distance from zero, but located on different sides of zero on the number line.

- 2and 2 are the same distance from 0 and they are located on different sizes on the number line. Therefore, -2 and 2 are opposites.