What are different ways to add two rational numbers and get a negative

If the sum is negative or if the signs are different and the negative has a biger absoulute value.

You have 2 sides that are 2 cms and you have 6 sides that are 1/2 cm and you have 4 sides that are 1 cm. the smallest sides are 1/2 the medium sized sides are 1 and the smallest are 1/2. so to find the perimeter you have to add them all up together so your answer will be 11 cm's