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Algebraically: a – b = a + (-b)
Example: 3 – 5 = 3 + (-5)
-2= -2
Example #1
Find the difference -4-3
1. Change the problem to an addition problem by adding the
opposite of 3, which is – 3.
-4 - 3
- 4 + (- 3)
1. Then follow the rules for adding. In this case both signs are
the same so you add and keep the sign…
-4
+ (- 3)
-7
Example #2
Find the difference 10 - 11
1. Change the problem to an addition problem by adding the
opposite of 11, which is – 11.
10 - 11
10 + (- 11)
1. Then follow the rules for
adding. In this case the signs 10
are different so you subtract + (- 11)
and keep the sign of the larger
number
-1
Example #3
Find the difference 11 - 10
1. Change the problem to an addition problem by adding the
opposite of 10, which is – 10.
11 - 10
11 + (- 10)
1. Then follow the rules for
adding. In this case the signs 11
are different so you subtract + (- 10)
and keep the sign of the larger
number
1
Example #4
Find the difference - 3 – (-6)
1. Change the problem to an addition problem by adding the
opposite of (-6), which is 6.
-3 - (-6)
-3 + 6
1. Then follow the rules for
adding. In this case the signs -3
are different so you subtract + 6
and keep the sign of the larger
number
3
Comment
In the previous example you will notice that
you subtracted a negative
- 3 – (-6)