Solve -2-(-5): Step-by-Step Guide to Subtracting Negative Numbers

Q: Why does subtracting a negative become addition?

Think of it as removing a debt! If you owe $5 (that's -5) and someone removes that debt, you actually gain $5. So subtracting negative 5 is the same as adding positive 5.

Q: How do I remember the double negative rule?

Use this phrase: "Two negatives make a positive." When you see $ -(-x) $, the minus signs cancel out to give you $ +x $.

Q: What's the difference between -2+(-5) and -2-(-5)?

Big difference! -2+(-5) = -7 (adding two negatives), but -2-(-5) = 3 (subtracting a negative becomes addition). Always look carefully at the operation signs!

Q: Can I use a number line for all negative number problems?

Absolutely! Number lines are perfect for negative numbers. Moving right = adding, moving left = subtracting. Start at your first number and follow the operations step by step.

Q: What if I have more than two numbers with negatives?

Work left to right, one operation at a time. Convert each subtraction of a negative as you go: $ -3-(-2)-(-1) $ becomes $ -3+2+1 = 0 $.

Negative Number Operations with Double Negatives

$-2-(-5)=$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:04 Let's solve this problem together.

00:08 Remember, a negative times a negative always equals a positive.

00:13 Alright, let's open the parentheses.

00:17 Here, the number is negative.

00:20 On a number line, going left means moving towards the negative side.

00:25 So from zero, we'll make two jumps to the left.

00:30 Now, this number is positive.

00:34 And moving right means we're heading towards the positive side.

00:39 Let's take five jumps to the right.

00:44 And there we have it! That's how we find the solution.

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$-2-(-5)=$

Step-by-step solution

Let's remember the rule:

$-(-x)=+$

We'll write the exercise in the appropriate form:

$-2+(5)=$

We'll locate the number minus 2 on the number line, from there we'll move 5 steps to the right (since 5 is greater than zero):

We can see that we've reached the number 3.

Final Answer

$3$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Subtracting a negative number becomes adding the positive
Technique: Convert -2-(-5) to -2+(5) = 3
Check: Use number line: start at -2, move 5 right to reach 3 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Adding instead of converting the operation
Don't just add: -2+(-5) = -7! This ignores the subtraction sign before the parentheses and gives the wrong answer. Always convert subtraction of negatives to addition: -2-(-5) becomes -2+(5).

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

a is negative number.

b is negative number.

What is the sum of a+b?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why does subtracting a negative become addition?

Think of it as removing a debt! If you owe $5 (that's -5) and someone removes that debt, you actually gain$ 5. So subtracting negative 5 is the same as adding positive 5.

How do I remember the double negative rule?

Use this phrase: "Two negatives make a positive." When you see $-(-x)$ , the minus signs cancel out to give you $+x$ .

What's the difference between -2+(-5) and -2-(-5)?

Big difference! -2+(-5) = -7 (adding two negatives), but -2-(-5) = 3 (subtracting a negative becomes addition). Always look carefully at the operation signs!

Can I use a number line for all negative number problems?

Absolutely! Number lines are perfect for negative numbers. Moving right = adding, moving left = subtracting. Start at your first number and follow the operations step by step.

What if I have more than two numbers with negatives?

Work left to right, one operation at a time. Convert each subtraction of a negative as you go: $-3-(-2)-(-1)$ becomes $-3+2+1 = 0$ .

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