help with Algebra?

Question

i am having a hard time understanding how to subtract in algebra.it's confusing the heck out of me.

for instane +2 - -5=??? so it turns to +2 + +5= +7??

or when it's

-2 - -5= = +2 + +5= +7


do i just turn them into addition problems indiscriminantly???
i am kinda lost..

i don't understand this part-

"it's a bit like you're multiplying the two negative signs together to make a plus sign. If it was +2 - 5, the answer would be -3, but since you're subtracting -5 you multiply the negative signs to make a positive. "

what does it mean to multiply the negative signs to make a positive??

Answer 1

I'll just explain the rules, and then go on:

Minus a negative is "addition."
Think about it: You are taking away a negative amount: What does that mean? You are adding it. It sort of makes sense conceptually, you just need to "ponder" it, if you will.

Plus a negative is "subtraction."
You are adding a negative amount. What does that mean? You are taking it away. For all of these, just think about what they mean and you'll probably have an easier time.

Minus a positive is "subtraction."
This is fairly simple. It means that you are taking away a positive amount. That's all you're doing with this one.

Plus a positive is "addition."
You are adding a positive amount to the other number/variable/etc. This should be straightforward as well.

On a technicality, +2--5 = +2-(-5) = +2+5=+7

Also, -2--5=
-2-(-5)=-2+5=+3

You don't randomly add plus or minus signs. You need to sort of "combine" them when you run into a positive or negative, or two negatives. Just follow the rules I outlined. Don't touch ones that are alone (like the - in front of the 2).

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

If the numbers have the same sign, add them and keep the sign.
e.g. -2 - 3 = -5
If the numbers have a different sign, subtract the smaller number from the bigger number and keep the sign of the bigger number.
e.g. -20 + 8 = -12
With +2 - - 5, it's a bit like you're multiplying the two negative signs together to make a plus sign. If it was +2 - 5, the answer would be -3, but since you're subtracting -5 you multiply the negative signs to make a positive.

Answer 3

The only part of that you turn positive is the - -5 or any number that's there. For instance, if it's 2 - -5, it becomes 2 + 5 = 7. When it's -2 - -5 it becomes -2 + 5 = 3. It's just that last part, the " minus negative number" part.

Answer 4

Don't be lost help is here

Subtracting in Algebra is the same as " adding " the opposite of the nu,mber
for example
in the example you gave

2 -- -- 5

this problem should be rewriten to avoid confusion as :

2 - ( - 5 ) = ?
now it is clear thar to solve this you have to " subtract " the opposite of the number in the parentesis ( that's what the negative sign in front of the parentesis mean ) therefore the " opposite " of - 5 is of courde 5

2 - ( - 5 ) is rhe same as

2 + 5 = 7

In your2 nd example

In all algebra promblems ( to avoid confusion ) you should put all negative numbers in parentesis as below

the promblem of

-2 - - 5 = + 2 ++ 5 = +7

can / should be rewritten as

-2 --- ( - 5 ) = - 2 + 5 = - 3

you see you usally don't write a positive sign in ( + ) frount of a alresdy positive number that id being added or whatever

If you are still confuse go to ihr website below :

www.purplemath.com

this is a good site to learn math , alberga or whatever math that troubles you

Answer 5

just remember a double negative = positive.

5 - - 5 = 5 + 5

-2 + 5 = 3

5 - (- 2) = 5 + 2 = 7

Answer 6

subtracting a negative number is the same as adding the number.

2 - (-1) = 2 + 1 = 3


-->

Answer 7

2- (-5)=
2 + 5=7

-5 - (-8)=
-5 + 8= 3

-5 - 8= -13

-15 + 7 =
7 - 15 = -8

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

- (- 2)

+ 2

If a negative preceeds the parenthesis and a negative number is inside the parenthesis the sum will be positive

- ( + 2)

- 2

if a negatove preceeds the parenthesis and a positive number is inside the parenthesis the sum is negative

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

-2 - (- 5) =

-2 + 5 = 3

- - - - - - - - - - -s-

Answer 9

Two minus signs cancel each other to become a plus sign. That'sall you need to know.