Question

The additive inverse of \[ - 5\] is
A) \[5\]
B) \[0\]
C) \[ - 4\]
D) \[ - 6\]

Answer 1

Hint: In the given question, we have been given a number. We have to find its additive inverse. For finding that, we do not need to do any complicated stuff about the properties of the number given or any such thing, we just need to know what an additive inverse is.

Complete step by step solution:
The additive inverse of a number or expression is that number or expression which when added to that original quantity gives zero. Hence, the additive inverse of a number or expression \[k\] is given by,
Additive inverse \[ = - \left( k \right) = - k\]
Thus, the additive inverse of \[ - 5\] is \[ - \left( { - 5} \right) = 5\].

Hence, the correct option is A.

Note:
In the given question, we had to find the additive inverse of an integer. To solve this question, we only needed to know the meaning of the word “additive inverse”. If the sum of two numbers is zero, then the first number is called the additive inverse of the second number, and vice versa, i.e., all the pairs of numbers such that their sum is zero are additive inverses of each other. So, to solve such questions, we only need to know the meaning of the basic terms and then simply solve the question.