Does [-7 - 10] equal negative 17 or positive 3. Explain… why?

Answer 1

Hi, have a look at a number line:

--|--- --|--- --|--- --|-- ---|--- --|----- |- ----|-- ---|-- - -|-- --|- - --|-- -|-- --|-- -|- ---|---- |--- -| ---|-

-18 -17 -16 -15 -14 -13 -12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0

^--------<--------------------<-------------------<-----------^

Subtraction moves left on the number line and addition moves to the right.

Start at -7 and subtract 10.

I hope this helps, Joe.

Answer 2

-7, you take $7 out of your piggy bank.

-10, you come back and take out $10.

How much have you taken out?

Answer 3

-17, 2 ways to look at it. One a minus7 added to a minus 10 equals a minus 17.The other way is a minus 7 subtract a positive10 you change positive 10 to negative 10 and then add to get negative 17