SOLUTION: i still didn't understand how to add and subtrace unlike signs please help

Question 92566: i still didn't understand how to add and subtrace unlike signs please help

Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Adding:
3 + (-7) = -4
Think of 3 as going 0 to 3 on a number line.
That gets you to 3.
Now think of going 7 to the left from there:
you arrive = -4 on the number line.
---------------
-3+(-7)= -10
Think of -3 as going 0 to -3 on a number line.
That gets you to -3.
Now think of going 7 to the left from there.
You arrive at -10 on the number line.
==========================================
Subtracting:
3-(-7) = 10
Think of going 0 to 3 on the number line
That gets you to 3.
Now think of going the "opposite" of -7 from there.
That gets you to 10 on the number line.
----The rule on this is: The negative of a negative is positive.
--------------------
-3-(-7)
Think of going 0 to -3 on the number line.
That gets you to -3.
Now think of going the "opposite" of -7 from there.
That gets you to 4 on the number line.
===============
Cheers,
Stan H.

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