What is negative 1 minus 1?

Answer 1

Dealing with negative numbers might be confusing at first, but try and visualise (or draw) a number scale, starting with 0 at the middle and going up the positive numbers above and down the negative numbers below, like this:

(etc.)

^

4 -|

3 -|

2 -|

1 -|

0 -|

-1 -|

-2 -|

-3 -|

-4- |

V

(etc.)

By adding, we effectively move up this number line; by subtracting, we move down it. With negative one minus one, we are starting with minus one, then subtracting positive one, i.e. -1 - (1). So we start at -1, then by subtracting 1 we move down 1 space to -2.

Therefore -1 - 1 = -2

Answer 2

Negative 1 minus 1 is equal to negative 2. When subtracting a positive number from a negative number, you essentially add the additive inverse of the positive number to the negative number. In this case, the additive inverse of 1 is -1, so -1 + (-1) equals -2.

Answer 3

Oh, dude, negative 1 minus 1 is like negative 2. So, basically, you take away 1 from negative 1, and you end up with negative 2. It's like math's way of saying, "Hey, let's go lower than low."

Answer 4

Well, darling, negative 1 minus 1 is simply negative 2. So, in other words, you're taking one away from negative 1 and ending up with negative 2. Simple math, really.