A computational tool designed to perform the arithmetic operation of addition involving negative numerical values is a valuable asset in various mathematical and scientific contexts. For instance, determining the net change in temperature when the temperature drops below zero requires the use of such a function. Similarly, calculating bank balances when overdrafts occur necessitates the ability to add negative quantities.
The significance of accurate computation with negative numbers extends across multiple disciplines, including accounting, physics, and engineering. The precise handling of debits and credits in financial statements, the calculation of forces acting in opposite directions, and the modeling of electrical circuits all rely on this capability. Historically, the development of mathematical systems that incorporate negative numbers has enabled the advancement of these fields.