Final answer:
The symbol in Python for adding a number on the right to a variable on the left and assigning the result back to the variable is the += operator. It's also known as augmented addition, useful when you want to increase the value of a variable by a specific amount.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symbols used in Python to add a number on the right to the left and then update the left variable to hold the result is +=. This is also known as an assignment operator or augmented addition. For example, if you start with x = 5 and then perform x += 3, the result would be that x now holds the value 8.
When discussing addition in a more general context, regardless of programming, the rules for addition's outcome are dependent on the signs of the numbers involved:
- When two positive numbers are added, the answer has a positive sign, e.g., 3+2 = 5.
- When two negative numbers are added, the answer has a negative sign, e.g., -4 + (-2) = -6.
- With opposite signs, subtract the smaller number from the larger number, and the answer has the sign of the larger number, e.g., -5 +3 = -2.
In the context of subtracting numbers, changing the sign of the number being subtracted and then following the rules of addition applies, such as: 5 - (+3) = 5 - 3 = 2 and 2 - (-6) = 2 + 6 = 8.