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What does integer subtraction in number lines mean?

Updated: 8/17/2019
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14y ago

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From any number you start with, numbers to the right are larger than numbers to the left.

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Starting from 2 to the left 0 is smaller than 2. From -1 -3 is smaller. What you're looking at can be confusing. Think of it this way. If you have 5 apples and take 2 away you'll have 3 apples. 3 is smaller in "value" than 5. The same is true for negative number taking -3 from 1. This is "1-3=-2". Do you see the negative 3 in the equation?

1 combined with -3 "(1) +(-3)is the same as "1-3".

That little - sign stays with the 3 no matter where it goes. Trust this fact for now, it will become useful in more advanced math.

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14y ago
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Q: What does integer subtraction in number lines mean?
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