Solve the Equation: Finding the Number in x-(-13)=-23

Q: Why does subtracting a negative become addition?

Think of it like removing a debt! If you remove a negative 13 (debt), you're actually adding 13 to your total. The rule $ -(-x) = +x $ always applies.

Q: How do I remember the double negative rule?

Think of common phrases: "I don't have no money" really means "I have money." Two negatives always make a positive in math too!

Q: Can I check my answer a different way?

Yes! You can also think: "What number minus negative 13 gives me negative 23?" Since $ -36 + 13 = -23 $, the answer is -36.

Q: What if I had ?-(-5) = 12 instead?

Same process! Convert to $ ? + 5 = 12 $, then subtract 5 from both sides: $ ? = 12 - 5 = 7 $. The double negative rule works for any number!

Linear Equations with Double Negatives

Solve the following equation:

$\text{?}-(-13)=-23$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Find the unknown

00:03 Negative times negative always equals positive

00:07 Open parentheses

00:14 Isolate the unknown

00:30 Calculate each operation separately

00:45 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

Solve the following equation:

$\text{?}-(-13)=-23$

Step-by-step solution

First let's remember the rule:

$-(-x)=+$

Now let's rewrite the exercise in the appropriate form:

$?+13=-23$

Then we'll add -13 to both sides to cancel out the left side:

$?+13-13=-23-13$

Finally we get:

$?+0=-36$

$?=-36$

Final Answer

$-36$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Double Negative Rule: Subtracting a negative equals adding the positive
Technique: Convert $?-(-13)$ to $?+13$ first
Check: Substitute -36: $-36-(-13)=-36+13=-23$ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Forgetting to apply the double negative rule
Don't try to solve $?-(-13)=-23$ directly without simplifying first = confusion and wrong answers! The double negative creates addition, not subtraction. Always convert $-(-13)$ to $+13$ before solving.

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 like removing a debt! If you remove a negative 13 (debt), you're actually adding 13 to your total. The rule $-(-x) = +x$ always applies.

What's the difference between -13 and (-13)?

There's no difference! The parentheses are just for clarity. But when you see $-(-13)$ , that's a negative of a negative, which equals positive 13.

How do I remember the double negative rule?

Think of common phrases: "I don't have no money" really means "I have money." Two negatives always make a positive in math too!

Can I check my answer a different way?

Yes! You can also think: "What number minus negative 13 gives me negative 23?" Since $-36 + 13 = -23$ , the answer is -36.

What if I had ?-(-5) = 12 instead?

Same process! Convert to $? + 5 = 12$ , then subtract 5 from both sides: $? = 12 - 5 = 7$ . The double negative rule works for any number!

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