Calculate -8 - (-3)

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Integers · Foundations

Step by step

Question: work out −8 − (−3).

−8 − (−3)

Taking away a negative is the same as adding.

− (−) = +

So −8 − (−3) becomes −8 + 3.

= −8 + 3

Start at −8.

Go up 3.

We land on −5.

= −5

So the answer is −5.

Answer

= −5

Try this one yourself, then check:

Work out −12 − (−8)

Show the answer

−4