If x is a negative integer, –x is a positive integer.
A negative integer means a whole number less than zero.
Examples: ( -1 ), ( -3 ), ( -5 )
The symbol “(-x)” means “the opposite (or negative) of (x)”.
It flips the sign of the number.
If (x) is negative, then writing (-x) changes the sign from negative to positive.
See with small examples:
Let (x = -5).
Then (-x = -(-5)).
(-(-5) = 5), and (5) is positive.
Let (x = -1).
Then (-x = -(-1)).
(-(-1) = 1), and (1) is positive.
Let (x = -12).
Then (-x = -(-12)).
(-(-12) = 12), and (12) is positive.
In general: if (x < 0), then (-x > 0). So the opposite of a negative integer is a positive integer.