what is 5 less than -20

Answer 1

Draw a number line:

-30 -29 -28 -27 -26 -25 -24 -23 -22 -21 -20 -19 -18 ... 0 1 2 3 4...

Find -20

5 less than means to subtract 5. When we subtract with a number line, we move to the left. Start at -20 and count to the left 5 more numbers. Where do you land? -25

So -20 - 5 = -25

When subtracting integers, change the sign, and add.

So -20 - 5

can be written as

-20 + -5

Treat this like addition. 20 + 5 = 25. But since both integers were negative, the answer would be negative, so -25.