document.write( "Question 222842: How can 12 - 6 = -6
\n" ); document.write( "This is a problem I got from my algebra teacher today.
\n" ); document.write( "12 - 6 = -n
\n" ); document.write( "she said the answer is -6
\n" ); document.write( "How can that be true when in elementary school I learned that 12 - 6 = 6.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thanks \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #166751 by jim_thompson5910(35256) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
What she meant by \"the answer is -6\" is that the value of $\"n=-6\"$ satisfies the equation $\"12-6=-n\"$ . Take note that the left side is simply 6 (since 12-6=6). So the equation then becomes $\"6=-n\"$ . Now plug in $\"n=-6\"$ to get $\"6=-%28-6%29\"$ and now simplify $\"6=6\"$ . Since this is a true equation, this verifies the answer.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Note: none of this means that $\"12-6=-6\"$ (since this isn't even true anyway). \n" ); document.write( "

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