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Rule for Subtraction

publish date: 1969/12/31 00:00:00 UTC

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To subtract two integers, add the first integer to the opposite (additive inverse) of the integer to be subtracted.

Correct Answer

True

Explanation

The subtraction problem 6 - 4 can be thought of as taking away 4 from 6. We can use a number line to illustrate this. Beginning at 0, we draw an arrow of length 6 units long that points to the right. It represents positive 6. From the tip of that arrow, we draw a second arrow, 4 units long, that points to the left. It represents taking away 4. Since we end up at 2, it follows that 6 - 4 = 2.

Begin -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 4 End 6 − 4 = 2

Note that the illustration above also represents the addition 6 + (-4) = 2. We see that

Reference

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