The result of subtracting a negative number minus a negative number can be positive, or negative, depending on which of the numbers is larger. It can even be zero.
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A negative - even further away from zero than the first negative.
Taking away a negative number is the same as adding the positive value of that number. So 5 take away (-3) = 5 add 3 = 8
take any negative number, and subtract a positive number..that is the same as adding a negative number and two negative numbers added together are a negative number.
9 - (-1) = +10 positive nine minus negative one equals positive ten
A negative subracting a positive will end up as a negative. Explanation: If you have 3 negatives, you cannnot take 3 positives from it, so you need to add 3 zeros, (which are both negative and positive), to the negative side. The number zero means nothing, so it will not alter the question. KEY _ =negative + =positive _+ =zero _ _ _ needs _+ _+ _+ to subract + + + Once you take the 3 positives from the negative side, you will be left with 6 negatives _ _ _ _+_+_+ minus + + + leaves you with _ _ _ _ _ _ *NOTE* You may be thinking, "But the zero did count! It's symbol left a mark on the answer!". Wrong. Zero in math means nothing, and that is how it will stay. You only needed it because it had the positive sign you were looking for. But because it is both positive and negative, you will be left with a negative when you take away the positive, and a positive when you take away the negative. This is why a positive subracting a negative will equal a negative.