Solve -5-(-2): Using Number Line to Subtract Negative Numbers

Question

5(2)= -5-(-2)=

-7-7-7-6-6-6-5-5-5-4-4-4-3-3-3-2-2-2-1-1-1000111222333444555666777

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's remember the rule:

(x)=+x -(-x)=+x

Therefore, the exercise we received is:

5+2= -5+2=

We'll locate minus 5 on the number line and move two steps to the right (since 2 is greater than zero):

-7-7-7-6-6-6-5-5-5-4-4-4-3-3-3-2-2-2-1-1-1000111222333444555666777

We can see that we've arrived at the number minus 3.

Answer

3 -3