Solve -14-(-7): Understanding Double Negative Subtraction

Q: Why does subtracting a negative become addition?

Think of it as "taking away a debt". If you owe $7 (negative) and someone takes away that debt, you actually gain $7! So subtracting negative 7 means adding positive 7.

Q: How do I remember the double negative rule?

Remember: two negatives make a positive! The minus sign and the negative number "cancel out" to become addition. Practice with: $ -(-x) = +x $

Q: Can I use a number line to solve this?

Absolutely! Start at -14, then move 7 steps to the right (because we're adding 7). You'll land on -7, which is your answer.

Q: What if the numbers were different, like -5-(-3)?

Same rule applies! $ -5-(-3) = -5+3 = -2 $. Always change the subtraction of a negative into addition of a positive.

Q: Is this the same as regular subtraction?

No! Regular subtraction like $ -14-7 = -21 $ is different from $ -14-(-7) = -7 $. The double negative changes everything!

Negative Number Subtraction with Double Negatives

$-14-(-7)=$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:04 Negative times negative is always positive

00:08 Open parentheses

00:11 Find the point (-14) on the axis

00:15 The number is directed, positive

00:18 Movement towards the positive side of the axis is to the right

00:23 Let's take 7 jumps to the right

00:33 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$-14-(-7)=$

Step-by-step solution

Let's remember the rule:

$-(-x)=+$

We'll write the exercise in the appropriate form:

$-14+(7)=$

We'll locate the number negative 14 on the number line, from there we'll move 7 steps to the right (since 7 is greater than zero):

We can see that we've reached the number negative 7.

Final Answer

$-7$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Subtracting a negative number means adding the positive
Technique: Change -(-7) to +7, so -14-(-7) becomes -14+7
Check: Start at -14, move 7 steps right to reach -7 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Treating double negative as subtraction
Don't calculate -14-(-7) as -14-7 = -21! This ignores the double negative rule and gives the wrong answer. Always remember that subtracting a negative number means adding the positive: -14-(-7) = -14+7 = -7.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

a is negative number.

b is negative number.

What is the sum of a+b?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why does subtracting a negative become addition?

Think of it as "taking away a debt". If you owe $7 (negative) and someone takes away that debt, you actually gain $7! So subtracting negative 7 means adding positive 7.

How do I remember the double negative rule?

Remember: two negatives make a positive! The minus sign and the negative number "cancel out" to become addition. Practice with: $-(-x) = +x$

Can I use a number line to solve this?

Absolutely! Start at -14, then move 7 steps to the right (because we're adding 7). You'll land on -7, which is your answer.

What if the numbers were different, like -5-(-3)?

Same rule applies! $-5-(-3) = -5+3 = -2$ . Always change the subtraction of a negative into addition of a positive.

Is this the same as regular subtraction?

No! Regular subtraction like $-14-7 = -21$ is different from $-14-(-7) = -7$ . The double negative changes everything!

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