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We can see that subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart. Let's visualize this with a number line. We will start at 8 on the line. Since subtraction is shown on a number line by moving to the left, we will move 13 units to the left of 8.
Next, we move 4 units to the right of - 5 on the number line to represent adding 4 to the difference.
The final position after moving to the left and then to the right on the number line is the result of our expression. 8-13-(- 4)= - 1
a-(- b)=a+b
Add terms
a+(- b)=a-b
Subtract term
We can see that subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart. Let's visualize this by first finding 4 on the number line and then moving 7 units to the right.
Next, we move 2 units to the left of 11 on the number line.
The final position after moving along the number line is the result of our expression. 4-(- 7)+(- 2)= 9
Commutative Property of Addition
Associative Property of Addition
Subtract term
Add terms
We can see that subtracting a positive number is the same as adding its negative counterpart. Let's visualize this by first finding - 7 on the number line and then moving 20 units to the left.
Now we move 3 units to the right of - 27 on the number line to show adding 3 to the difference.
The final position after moving along the number line is the result of our expression. - 7+3-20= - 24
