document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=221923>Question 221923</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hi. I'm home sick today. I'm trying to keep up with my algebra homework. My mom and I have both tried solving one of the problems, and we need help. WE've read the example over and over! The problem is:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-46 decreased by the difference between -23 and -61\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The answer is -84. (looked it up in the back of the book) BUT we don't understand why?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "We tried the following:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-46-(-23-61) but using the distributive property, seems like it would simplify to: -46+23+61  but that gives the wrong answer. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Can you please help us?? Thanks in advance!<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #166290 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><B>Alan3354(69443)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=Alan3354><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=166290\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> -46 decreased by the difference between -23 and -61 <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The difference between -23 and -61 is 38. (-23 - (-61)) = 38<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Decreasing -46 by 38 = -46 - 38 = -84<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Usually, \"the difference\" is assumed to be positive.  For example,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the difference between 7 and 10 is 3.  between 10 and 7 is also 3.  Negatives are used only when it's specifically shown as a subtraction problem.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "This problem is somewhat ambiguous. </SPAN>\n" );
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