Question

1. If a and b are any two real numbers, explain how you calculate the difference a – b. Be sure to include the following in your explanation:
c. How you can determine the sign of the result

Answer 1

If a and b are real numbers, a−b is the same as a+(−b), where −b is the opposite of b.
consider the number line
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
we now use the above number line to illustrate that the subtraction 5−2 produces 3, that is, 5−2=3
We begin at 0, the origin.

Since 5 is positive, we move 5 units to the right.
Then, we move 2 units to the left to get to 3. (This reminds us of addition with a negative number.)
This illustration suggests that 5−2 is the same as 5+(−2).
Clearly if the result of the subtraction process is to the right of the origin, the sign is positive. Also, if the result of the subtraction process is to the left of the origin, the sign is negative.

Answer 2

Thanks

Answer 3

@jagr2713 it has these dimonds ewith question marks can please screenshot it if you can?