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# Negative number

A negative number is indicated by a `_` (underbar), not a `-` (minus).

    5 + _3
    2

       _7
    _7

       _5e_3
    _0.005

       5 - 9
    _4

Leaving out the blank between the `-` and the `9` does not change the meaning.

     5 -9
    _4

The `-` is always a verb. This simplifies the rules for evaluating sentences as there is no special case for `-` when it is used immediately to the left of a number. But if `-` is always a verb, then another character, the `_` (underbar) is required to spell a negative number.

The `_` is used in spelling numbers, along with the digits, dot, and the e for exponential notation; it indicates a negative number.

Remember: `_` in front of a number is part of the number and indicates that it is negative, and `-` is always a verb and is not part of a number.

The `__` (two underbars) is negative infinity and is a number.

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