Question

Catherine is unsure how to simplify -5-9 and has asked for your help. Use complete sentences to explain to her how to simplify -5-9

Answer 1

1. change your sign (-) to an addition sign (+)

Answer 2

2?

Answer 3

nope, we can't just randomly change signs without any reason

Answer 4

-5-9 is the same as -(5+9) using the distributive property (in reverse)

-(5+9) = -14

Answer 5

You can also use a number line. Start at -5 on the number line. Then move 9 units to the left to land on -14. We move left because we're subtracting a positive.