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Definition of algebraic sum
: the aggregate of two or more numbers or quantities taken with regard to their signs (as + or −) according to the rules of addition in algebra
the algebraic sum of −2, 8, and −1 is 5 — compare arithmetical sum
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Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
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Time Traveler for algebraic sum
The first known use of algebraic sum was in 1809
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