Negative 4 minus negative 2

Wiki User. Positive 3 plus negative 5 minus negative 2 minus positive 4 is equal to Negative four Negative 4 minus positive 2 is equal to negative 6.

The rules for adding and subtracting negative numbers works similarly to adding and subtracting positive numbers. When you'd added a positive number, you'd moved to the right on the number line. When you'd subtracted a positive number, you'd moved to the left. Adding and Subtracting Integers. Now, if you're adding a negative number, you can regard this is pretty much the same as when you were subtracting a positive number, if you view "adding a negative" as adding to the left. That is, by plus-ing a minus, you're adding in the other direction.

Negative 4 minus negative 2

Subtracting positive numbers, such as 4 - 2, is easy. When we subtract negative numbers or subtract negative numbers to positive numbers, it gets more complicated. Here are some simple rules to follow when subtracting negative numbers. For example: this is what you have learned before. So, instead of subtracting a negative, you are adding a positive. For example, say we have the problem -2 - —4. So the equation turns into a simple addition problem. Join K5 to save time, skip ads and access more content. Learn More. Rule 2: Subtracting a positive number from a negative number — start at the negative number and count backwards. For example: Say, we have the problem -2 — 3. Now count backwards 3 units. So keep counting back three spaces from -2 on the number line. Rule 3: Subtracting a negative number from a negative number — a minus sign followed by a negative sign, turns the two signs into a plus sign.

View the subtraction as adding a negative 9 ; that is, draw an arrow from zero to five, and then a "minus" arrow that goes nine units backwards:. Purplemath What are the rules for adding and subtracting negative numbers? It looks like this:.

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The rules for adding and subtracting negative numbers works similarly to adding and subtracting positive numbers. When you'd added a positive number, you'd moved to the right on the number line. When you'd subtracted a positive number, you'd moved to the left. Adding and Subtracting Integers. Now, if you're adding a negative number, you can regard this is pretty much the same as when you were subtracting a positive number, if you view "adding a negative" as adding to the left. That is, by plus-ing a minus, you're adding in the other direction. In the same vein, if you subtract a negative that is, if you minus a minus , you're subtracting in the other direction; that is, you'll be subtracting by moving to the right.

Negative 4 minus negative 2

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For some reason, it seems helpful to use the terms "plus" and "minus" instead, of "add, "subtract", "positive", and "negative". So, instead of subtracting a negative, you are adding a positive. I started with the number zero. For an amusing and informative rant on the topic, try this " Math with Bad Drawings " article, which rejects "two negatives make a positive" in favor of "the opposite of the opposite of a thing is the thing itself". Resources Leaderboard All Tags Unanswered. The rules for adding and subtracting negative numbers works similarly to adding and subtracting positive numbers. This is, by the way, an example of a "proof by contradiction", wherein you assume something that is the opposite of what is true [in this case, assuming that the minus of a minus is another minus], show that this assumption leads to a contradiction of known good information [namely, that zero equals two], and thereby prove that the assumption was false, so the opposite is true [namely, that the minus of a minus is a plus]. I have no idea why this is so helpful, but I do know that this verbal technique helped negatives click with me, too. All right reserved. Wiki User. This will help me keep the signs straight:. For example: Say, we have the problem -2 — 3. Purplemath What are the rules for adding and subtracting negative numbers?

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The article by nrich uses a hot-air balloon with puffs of air and sandbags to accomplish the same thing. X Log In. What us negative 3 1 2 minus 3 4? Positive 3 plus negative 5 minus negative 2 minus positive 4 is equal to Not a member? What happened? Join Now. Previously Viewed. For example, say we have the problem -2 - —4. Rule 4: Subtracting a negative number from a positive number — turn the subtraction sign followed by a negative sign into a plus sign. For an amusing and informative rant on the topic, try this " Math with Bad Drawings " article, which rejects "two negatives make a positive" in favor of "the opposite of the opposite of a thing is the thing itself". I'll start by converting the minus of minusses to plusses, and the minusses to plusses of minusses. Purplemath What are the rules for adding and subtracting negative numbers? All Rights Reserved. You know now that the answer will be negative, because you're subtracting a number that is, the 9 that is bigger than the one that you'd started with that is, the 5.