We can use the fact that subtracting a number is the same as adding its opposite to solve problems.
Problem 1 :
Subtract -5 from 7.
Solution :
Step 1 :
7 - (-5)
Rewrite the above subtraction as addition by taking opposite of -5, that is "+5"
7 + (+5)
Step 2 :
In the above addition, the numbers 7 and 5 are having same sign, that is positive.
So, find the absolute values of 7 & 5 and add the absolute values.
|7| = 7 and |5| = 5
Sum of the absolute values :
7 + 5 = 12
Step 3 :
Since both the numbers 7 and 5 are having the same positive sign, we have to take positive sign to the result.
So, we have 7 + (+5) = 12
Therefore,
7 - (-5) = 12
Problem 2 :
Find the value of 3.5 - 5.8.
Solution :
Step 1 :
3.5 - 5.8
Rewrite the above subtraction as addition by taking opposite of 5.8, that is "-5.8"
3.5 + (-5.8)
Step 2 :
In the above addition, the numbers 3.5 and 5.8 are having different signs.
So, find the absolute difference between 3.5 & 5.8.
|3.5 - 5.8| = |-2.3| = 2.3
Step 3 :
In 3.5 + (-5.8), the sign of the bigger number is negative. So, we have to take negative sign to the answer. That is -2.3
So,
3.5 + (-5.8) = -2.3
Problem 3 :
Joe is diving 7 feet below sea level. He decides to ascend descend 2 more feet. How many feet below sea level is he ?
Solution :
Step 1 :
Use negative numbers to represent the number of feet below sea level.
So, we have to find -7 + (- 2).
Step 2 :
In "-7 + (- 2)", the numbers 7 and 2 are having same sign, that is negative.
So, find the absolute values of -7 & -2 and add the absolute values.
|-7| = 7 and |-2| = 2
Sum of the absolute values :
7 + 2 = 9
Step 3 :
Since both the numbers -7 and -2 are having negative sign, we have to take negative sign to the result.
So, we have -7 + (- 2) = - 9
Therefore, Joe is 9 feet below sea level.
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