Step by step
The question
Question: work out −8 − (−5).
−8 − (−5)
1 Take away
Taking away a negative is the same as adding.
− (−) = +
So −8 − (−5) becomes −8 + 5.
= −8 + 5
On the number line, plus goes right.
Minus goes left.
+ : right →
− : left ←
Start at −8.
Go right 5.
We land on −3.
= −3
So the answer is −3.
Answer
= −3