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−1

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Also known as -1, negative one, minus one

In mathematics, −1 (negative one or minus one) is the additive inverse of 1, that is, the number that when added to 1 gives the additive identity element, 0. It is the negative integer greater than negative two (−2) and less than 0.

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In mathematics, −1 (negative one) is the number that, when added to 1, equals 0, making it what mathematicians call the "additive inverse" of 1. It is a fundamental negative integer that sits between −2 and 0 on the number line and serves as a basic building block for understanding how negative numbers work in arithmetic.

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Key facts

Number.number
−1
Number.divisor
1
Number.cardinal
−1, minus one,
Number.ordinal
−1st (negative first)
Number.lang1
Arabic
Number.lang1 symbol
Number.lang2
Chinese numeral
Number.lang2 symbol
负一,负弌,负壹
Number.lang3
Bengali
Number.lang3 symbol
Number.lang4
Binary (byte)
Number.lang5
Hex (byte)

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Ic exposure minus 1 48px.svg
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numeric value
-1
Commons category
-1 (number)
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Article

7 sections
Contents
  • In mathematics
  • Algebraic properties
  • Inverse and invertible elements
  • See also
  • References
  • Notes
  • Sources

In mathematics, −1 (negative one or minus one) is the additive inverse of 1, that is, the number that when added to 1 gives the additive identity element, 0. It is the negative integer greater than negative two (−2) and less than 0.

== In mathematics == === Algebraic properties === Multiplying a number by −1 is equivalent to changing the sign of the number – that is, for any we have . This can be proved using the distributive law and the axiom that 1 is the multiplicative identity: . Here we have used the fact that any number times 0 equals 0, which follows by cancellation from the equation . In other words, , so is the additive inverse of , i.e. , as was to be shown.

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