I learned this trick and I think it will help you guys: (Example) -7 + 8 = 1 You see -7 plus 8 = 1. Even though it says plus, in this case, we can subtract and keep the sign of the larger number. 8 is the larger number so we keep the sign of the larger number (positive) and we subtract 7 - 8 = 1. The answer is 1.

I really forgot how to subtract negative numbers. Can someone tell me how so I can remember. Thnx!

Also,my teacher showed me a word problem for a warm up and it said that someone had -3 dollars. How can you have minus three dollars in cash?

Think of this situation. You have $5 dollars, but you want to buy something from your friend for $8 dollars. 5 - 8 = -3 You now owe your friend $3 before you start making any money for yourself. You are now at -$3 dollars. You get $20 for your birthday. How much money do you have now? You have $17 because you have to pay your friend back the $3 dollars you owe them. -3+20 = 17 Great question and hope this helps <|:)

can u explain it better for me please

The two negatives cancel each other out, because negative negative would just be another positive. On the other hand, a positive and a negative would equal a negative as the two signs aren't the same. Ex. 2-2=2+(-2) but 2-(-2)=4, not 0. To help, think of it like -(- just being a disassembled + They even look similar! + -(-

This example is totally understandable and clear. But if a negative number can also be minused from a positive number and that makes sense, then an example for that could also be added in the video to help further clear doubts. If someone reads it, please give me a real life example of: $2000 - (-$500)

The answer is $2,500 because the -(- turns into a plus sign.

How is adding a negative equivalent to a negative? How is it possible?

Well, it depends on what the negative number is. For example, in 5+(-7), since the number 7 is greater than 5, you take away more than you have, so you then have a negative amount. 5+(-7) basically equals 5-7, which equals -2. For example: If you have $5 in your bank account and you spend $7, you have $0, but you also owe $2

Main content

Class 6 math (India)

Course: Class 6 math (India) > Unit 4

Lesson 3: Adding and subtracting integers

Subtracting a negative = adding a positive

Name: Subtracting a negative = adding a positive
Uploaded: 2012-12-21T23:05:00Z
Description: Find out why subtracting a negative number is the same as adding the absolute value of that number.

Google Classroom

Find out why subtracting a negative number is the same as adding the absolute value of that number. Created by Sal Khan.

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Luke
Posted 11 years ago. Direct link to Luke's post “I learned this trick and ...”
I learned this trick and I think it will help you guys:
(Example)
-7 + 8 = 1
You see -7 plus 8 = 1. Even though it says plus, in this case, we can
subtract and keep the sign of the larger number. 8 is the larger number so we keep the sign of the larger number (positive) and we subtract 7 - 8 = 1. The answer is 1.
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Luke's post “I learned this trick and ...”
(60 votes)
Answer
- Cayla Moser
  Posted 10 years ago. Direct link to Cayla Moser's post “I really forgot how to su...”
  I really forgot how to subtract negative numbers. Can someone tell me how so I can remember. Thnx!
  Comment on Cayla Moser's post “I really forgot how to su...”
  (5 votes)
Khoi Nguyen
Posted 10 years ago. Direct link to Khoi Nguyen's post “How is adding a negative...”
How is adding a negative equivalent to a negative? How is it possible?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Khoi Nguyen's post “How is adding a negative...”
(2 votes)
Answer
- Mac And Cheese
  Posted 10 years ago. Direct link to Mac And Cheese's post “Well, it depends on what ...”
  Well, it depends on what the negative number is. For example, in 5+(-7), since the number 7 is greater than 5, you take away more than you have, so you then have a negative amount. 5+(-7) basically equals 5-7, which equals -2.
  
  For example:
  
  If you have $5 in your bank account and you spend $7, you have $0, but you also owe $2
  Comment on Mac And Cheese's post “Well, it depends on what ...”
  (40 votes)
Synthia
Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to Synthia's post “Can we all just take a mo...”
Can we all just take a moment to appreciate Steve’s uncle for being so kind and caring to his nephew?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Synthia's post “Can we all just take a mo...”
(17 votes)
Answer
Ophelia D.
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Ophelia D.'s post “Also,my teacher showed me...”
Also,my teacher showed me a word problem for a warm up and it said that someone had -3 dollars. How can you have minus three dollars in cash?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Ophelia D.'s post “Also,my teacher showed me...”
(4 votes)
Answer
- jacobson.wpi
  Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to jacobson.wpi's post “Think of this situation. ...”
  Think of this situation.
  You have $5 dollars, but you want to buy something from your friend for $8 dollars.
  
  5 - 8 = -3
  
  You now owe your friend $3 before you start making any money for yourself.
  You are now at -$3 dollars. You get $20 for your birthday. How much money do you have now? You have $17 because you have to pay your friend back the $3 dollars you owe them.
  
  -3+20 = 17
  
  Great question and hope this helps <|:)
  Comment on jacobson.wpi's post “Think of this situation. ...”
  (11 votes)
raylyn j.
Posted 6 years ago. Direct link to raylyn j.'s post “can u explain it better f...”
can u explain it better for me please
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(3 votes)
Answer
- 32010148
  Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to 32010148's post “The two negatives cancel ...”
  The two negatives cancel each other out, because negative negative would just be another positive.
  On the other hand, a positive and a negative would equal a negative as the two signs aren't the same.
  Ex.
  2-2=2+(-2)
  but
  2-(-2)=4, not 0.
  To help, think of it like -(- just being a disassembled +
  They even look similar!
  + -(-
  Comment on 32010148's post “The two negatives cancel ...”
  (11 votes)
Raven
Posted a month ago. Direct link to Raven's post “Let us all remember Steve...”
Let us all remember Steve's uncle for being so loving.
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(9 votes)
Answer
Mr.Cheese
Posted 10 months ago. Direct link to Mr.Cheese's post “I like peanut butter”
I like peanut butter
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(8 votes)
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- laith.maz
  Posted 8 months ago. Direct link to laith.maz's post “No like sweden (ikeas) me...”
  No like sweden (ikeas) meatballs or hamborger
  Button navigates to signup page
  (1 vote)
Autumn
Posted 4 months ago. Direct link to Autumn's post “Steve looks a little cree...”
Steve looks a little creepy and like he's staring into my soul bro
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(5 votes)
Answer
- Super Viaan!
  Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to Super Viaan!'s post “exatctly”
  exatctly
  Comment on Super Viaan!'s post “exatctly”
  (3 votes)
KaitlinClawson2010🙄😁🤣
Posted 6 months ago. Direct link to KaitlinClawson2010🙄😁🤣's post “can anyone help me”
can anyone help me
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(5 votes)
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ali.elham1252
Posted 4 months ago. Direct link to ali.elham1252's post “This example is totally u...”
This example is totally understandable and clear. But if a negative number can also be minused from a positive number and that makes sense, then an example for that could also be added in the video to help further clear doubts.

If someone reads it, please give me a real life example of:

$2000 - (-$500)
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(3 votes)
Answer
- gngu0484
  Posted 3 months ago. Direct link to gngu0484's post “The answer is $2,500 beca...”
  The answer is $2,500 because the -(- turns into a plus sign.
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  (4 votes)

Video transcript

This is Steve and this is Steve's uncle and Steve is in a bit of a bind. Not only does he not have any money but he also owes Michael, who is not depicted here. He owes Michael $3. So he actually has a negative net worth. Steve has a net worth of -3. Steve's uncle cares about Steve and feels bad that he doesn't even have a 0 net worth; he has a negative net worth! And so Steve's uncle wants to at least take away some of this pain. He at least wants to get Steve back to a neutral net worth, a 0 net worth. So he decides to take away Steve's negative net worth. He wants to take away that -3. What happens if you take away that -3? Well, that should get you back to 0. If you take away anything... if you have something and you take it away, it should go back to 0. Similarly if you owe people things and that owing people things is taken away, it also gets back to 0. And another way to think about it is how Steve's uncle would actually take that liability, take that debt away from Steve. Well, the easiest way he could do it if Steve is starting at -3 net worth is for his uncle to give Steve $3, so that he(Steve) can get back to a net worth of 0. So hopefully, that makes it a little bit clearer, that this and this are intuitively equivalent.