additive inverse

UK/ˌæd.ɪ.tɪv ˈɪn.vɜːs/US/ˌæd.ə.t̬ɪv ˈɪn.vɝːs/

noun

The inverse with respect to addition; the opposite.

“The additive inverse of 12 is −12.”

Similar
negativeopposite
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounadditive inverse (plural additive inverses)

plural additive inverses

  1. mathematicsThe inverse with respect to addition; the opposite.

    The additive inverse of 12 is −12.

    Synonyms: negative, opposite

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe inverse with respect to addition; the opposite.

Similar
negativeopposite
Also see
inverse

Origin

So-called because the sum of a number and its additive inverse is the additive identity.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish vastaluku
  • vastalukumathematical term
German additives Inverses, Gegenzahl
  • additives Inversesmathematical term
  • Gegenzahlmathematical term
Polish liczba przeciwna
  • liczba przeciwnamathematical term
Portuguese elemento inverso
  • elemento inversomathematical term
Cite this entry
APA

additive inverse. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/additive%20inverse

MLA

“additive inverse.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/additive%20inverse. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “additive inverse,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/additive%20inverse.

Source: additive inverse on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.