He answered (the question) 'in the affirmative'. [=he said “yes”]
She gave an 'affirmative' answer, not a negative answer.
She answered (the question) 'affirmatively'.
(..) It was three or four years ago. I don't know what I said. When did you come to Eduardo? I don't understand that question. Do you remember answering in the affirmative? The affirmative? When did you come to Eduardo with the idea for Facebook? It was called The Facebook then. (..)2010 The Social Network