Calculate -1 - (-7) + (-11)

Step by step

The question

Question: work out −1 − (−7) + (−11).

1 Plus and minus

Plus and minus: we go from left to right.

Taking away a negative is the same as adding.

So −1 − (−7) becomes −1 + 7.

Start at −1.

Go up 7.

We land on 6.

Adding a negative is the same as taking away.

So 6 + (−11) becomes 6 − 11.

We take away more than we have.

Start at 6.

Go down 11.

We pass 0 and land on −5.

So the answer is −5.