Solve -3-(-4): Using Number Line to Subtract Negative Numbers

Q: Why does subtracting a negative number mean adding?

Think of it as removing a debt! If you owe $4 (negative) and that debt is removed (subtracted), you actually gain $4. So $ -(-4) = +4 $.

Q: What's the easiest way to remember this rule?

Remember: "Minus a minus makes a plus!" Whenever you see $ -(-x) $, it always becomes $ +x $.

Q: Can I just ignore the parentheses?

Never ignore parentheses! They show you exactly what's being subtracted. In $ -3-(-4) $, the parentheses tell you that negative 4 is being subtracted.

Q: How is this different from regular subtraction?

Regular subtraction like $ -3-4 = -7 $ moves left on the number line. But $ -3-(-4) $ moves right because subtracting a negative is the same as adding!

Integer Subtraction with Double Negatives

$-3-(-4)=$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:05 Let's solve this problem!

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

00:13 Open parentheses. The number here is negative.

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

00:25 So, let's take three steps to the left.

00:29 Now, the number is positive.

00:33 Moving to the right means going to the positive side.

00:37 Let's take four steps to the right.

00:40 And that's how we find the solution to the question!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$-3-(-4)=$

Step-by-step solution

Let's remember the rule:

$-(-x)=+$

We'll write the exercise in the appropriate form:

$-3+(4)=$

We'll locate the number negative 3 on the number line, from which we'll move 4 steps to the right (since 4 is greater than zero):

We can see that we've reached the number 1.

Final Answer

$1$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Subtracting a negative number means adding its positive
Technique: $-3-(-4) = -3+4 = 1$ on number line
Check: Start at -3, move 4 steps right to reach 1 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Treating double negative as subtraction
Don't calculate -3-(-4) as -3-4 = -7! This ignores the rule that subtracting a negative means adding. Always convert -(-x) to +x first, so -3-(-4) becomes -3+4 = 1.

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 number mean adding?

Think of it as removing a debt! If you owe $4 (negative) and that debt is removed (subtracted), you actually gain$ 4. So $-(-4) = +4$ .

How do I use the number line for this problem?

Start at -3 on the number line. Since we're subtracting -4 (which means adding 4), move 4 steps to the right. You'll land on 1!

What's the easiest way to remember this rule?

Remember: "Minus a minus makes a plus!" Whenever you see $-(-x)$ , it always becomes $+x$ .

Can I just ignore the parentheses?

Never ignore parentheses! They show you exactly what's being subtracted. In $-3-(-4)$ , the parentheses tell you that negative 4 is being subtracted.

How is this different from regular subtraction?

Regular subtraction like $-3-4 = -7$ moves left on the number line. But $-3-(-4)$ moves right because subtracting a negative is the same as adding!

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