Subtracting a Positive Number from a Negative Number

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 36 views

Understanding the Problem

When dealing with negative numbers, it's essential to remember the rules of arithmetic operations. In this case, we're required to subtract 4 from -7. To solve this problem, we need to follow the order of operations, which in this case is simply subtraction.

The Order of Operations

The order of operations is a set of rules that tells us which operations to perform first when we have multiple operations in an expression. The acronym PEMDAS is commonly used to remember the order of operations:

Parentheses: Evaluate expressions inside parentheses first.
Exponents: Evaluate any exponential expressions next.
Multiplication and Division: Evaluate multiplication and division operations from left to right.
Addition and Subtraction: Finally, evaluate any addition and subtraction operations from left to right.

In our problem, we don't have any parentheses, exponents, multiplication, or division, so we can skip those steps. We're left with a simple subtraction problem.

Subtracting a Positive Number from a Negative Number

When we subtract a positive number from a negative number, we need to remember that subtracting a positive number is equivalent to adding a negative number. In other words, $a - b$ is equal to $a + (-b)$ .

Using this rule, we can rewrite our problem as:

(-7) - 4 = (-7) + (-4)

Adding Negative Numbers

Now that we have a problem that involves adding two negative numbers, we can use the rule that states that when we add two negative numbers, the result is a positive number. In other words, $a + (-b) = a - b$ .

Using this rule, we can simplify our problem as follows:

(-7) + (-4) = -7 - 4

Simplifying the Expression

Now that we have a problem that involves subtracting two positive numbers, we can use the rule that states that when we subtract two positive numbers, the result is a negative number. In other words, $a - b = a + (-b)$ .

Using this rule, we can simplify our problem as follows:

-7 - 4 = -11

Conclusion

In conclusion, when we calculate $(-7) - 4$ , we get a result of $-11$ . This is because subtracting a positive number from a negative number is equivalent to adding a negative number, and adding two negative numbers results in a positive number.

Example Use Cases

Calculating the result of a financial transaction that involves a negative balance and a withdrawal.
Determining the final score in a game where one player has a negative score and the other player has a positive score.
Solving a problem that involves a negative number and a subtraction operation.

Tips and Tricks

When dealing with negative numbers, it's essential to remember the rules of arithmetic operations.
Use the order of operations to ensure that you're performing the correct operations in the correct order.
When subtracting a positive number from a negative number, remember that it's equivalent to adding a negative number.

Common Mistakes

Failing to remember the rules of arithmetic operations when dealing with negative numbers.
Not using the order of operations to ensure that you're performing the correct operations in the correct order.
Confusing subtraction with addition when dealing with negative numbers.

Real-World Applications

Calculating the result of a financial transaction that involves a negative balance and a withdrawal.
Determining the final score in a game where one player has a negative score and the other player has a positive score.
Solving a problem that involves a negative number and a subtraction operation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, calculating $(-7) - 4$ requires a basic understanding of arithmetic operations and the order of operations. By following the rules of arithmetic operations and using the order of operations, we can simplify the problem and arrive at the correct result of $-11$ .

Understanding Negative Numbers

Negative numbers are a fundamental concept in mathematics, and they can be a bit tricky to work with. In this article, we'll answer some common questions about calculating with negative numbers.

Q: What is a negative number?

A: A negative number is a number that is less than zero. It is represented by a minus sign (-) or a negative exponent (e.g., -3).

Q: How do I add negative numbers?

A: When adding negative numbers, you need to remember that subtracting a positive number is equivalent to adding a negative number. For example, -3 + (-4) = -7.

Q: How do I subtract negative numbers?

A: When subtracting negative numbers, you need to remember that subtracting a negative number is equivalent to adding a positive number. For example, -3 - (-4) = 1.

Q: What is the difference between -3 and 3?

A: The difference between -3 and 3 is 6. This is because -3 is 3 units to the left of zero, and 3 is 3 units to the right of zero.

Q: Can I have a negative number of negative numbers?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of negative numbers. For example, -(-3) = 3.

Q: How do I multiply negative numbers?

A: When multiplying negative numbers, you need to remember that an even number of negative signs results in a positive number, and an odd number of negative signs results in a negative number. For example, -3 × -4 = 12.

Q: How do I divide negative numbers?

A: When dividing negative numbers, you need to remember that an even number of negative signs results in a positive number, and an odd number of negative signs results in a negative number. For example, -3 ÷ -4 = 0.75.

Q: Can I have a negative number of fractions?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of fractions. For example, -3/4 is a negative fraction.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a financial transaction that involves a negative balance and a withdrawal?

A: To calculate the result of a financial transaction that involves a negative balance and a withdrawal, you need to subtract the withdrawal amount from the negative balance. For example, if you have a balance of -100 and you withdraw 50, your new balance will be -150.

Q: How do I determine the final score in a game where one player has a negative score and the other player has a positive score?

A: To determine the final score in a game where one player has a negative score and the other player has a positive score, you need to add the two scores together. For example, if one player has a score of -10 and the other player has a score of 20, the final score will be 10.

Q: Can I have a negative number of decimals?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of decimals. For example, -3.5 is a negative decimal.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a subtraction operation?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a subtraction operation, you need to follow the order of operations and subtract the second number from the first number. For example, if you have the problem -3 - 4, you need to subtract 4 from -3 to get -7.

Q: Can I have a negative number of percentages?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of percentages. For example, -25% is a negative percentage.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a multiplication operation?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a multiplication operation, you need to follow the order of operations and multiply the two numbers together. For example, if you have the problem -3 × 4, you need to multiply -3 by 4 to get -12.

Q: Can I have a negative number of ratios?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of ratios. For example, -3:4 is a negative ratio.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a division operation?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a division operation, you need to follow the order of operations and divide the two numbers together. For example, if you have the problem -3 ÷ 4, you need to divide -3 by 4 to get -0.75.

Q: Can I have a negative number of proportions?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of proportions. For example, -3:4 is a negative proportion.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and an exponentiation operation?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and an exponentiation operation, you need to follow the order of operations and raise the negative number to the power of the exponent. For example, if you have the problem (-3)^4, you need to raise -3 to the power of 4 to get 81.

Q: Can I have a negative number of roots?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of roots. For example, -3 is a negative root.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a logarithmic operation?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a logarithmic operation, you need to follow the order of operations and take the logarithm of the negative number. For example, if you have the problem log(-3), you need to take the logarithm of -3 to get a complex number.

Q: Can I have a negative number of complex numbers?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of complex numbers. For example, -3 + 4i is a negative complex number.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a trigonometric operation?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a trigonometric operation, you need to follow the order of operations and apply the trigonometric function to the negative number. For example, if you have the problem sin(-3), you need to apply the sine function to -3 to get a negative value.

Q: Can I have a negative number of vectors?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of vectors. For example, -3i is a negative vector.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a matrix operation?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a matrix operation, you need to follow the order of operations and apply the matrix operation to the negative number. For example, if you have the problem -3A, you need to multiply -3 by the matrix A to get a new matrix.

Q: Can I have a negative number of matrices?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of matrices. For example, -3A is a negative matrix.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a differential equation?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a differential equation, you need to follow the order of operations and apply the differential equation to the negative number. For example, if you have the problem dy/dx = -3, you need to apply the differential equation to the negative number -3 to get a new function.

Q: Can I have a negative number of differential equations?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of differential equations. For example, -3dy/dx = 4 is a negative differential equation.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a partial differential equation?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a partial differential equation, you need to follow the order of operations and apply the partial differential equation to the negative number. For example, if you have the problem ∂u/∂x = -3, you need to apply the partial differential equation to the negative number -3 to get a new function.

Q: Can I have a negative number of partial differential equations?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of partial differential equations. For example, -3∂u/∂x = 4 is a negative partial differential equation.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a stochastic process?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a stochastic process, you need to follow the order of operations and apply the stochastic process to the negative number. For example, if you have the problem dX = -3dt + σdW, you need to apply the stochastic process to the negative number -3 to get a new stochastic process.

Q: Can I have a negative number of stochastic processes?

A: Yes, you can have a negative number of stochastic processes. For example, -3dX = 4dt + σdW is a negative stochastic process.

Q: How do I calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a machine learning algorithm?

A: To calculate the result of a problem that involves a negative number and a machine learning algorithm, you need to follow the order of operations and apply the machine learning algorithm to the negative number. For example, if you have the problem y = -3x + 4, you need