How can i justify my answer in words in the problem -5 - 3 = -8?

Subtracting Positive Numbers

Subtracting positive numbers is just simple subtraction.

Example: 6 - 3 = 3
is really saying
"Positive 6 minus Positive 3 equals Positive 3"
You could write it as (+6) - (+3) = (+3)

Subtracting a Negative is the same as Adding


Ally can be naughty or nice. So Ally's parents have said

"If you are nice we will add 3 points (+3). If you are naughty, we take away 3 points (-3). When you reach 30 Points you get a toy."

Ally starts the day with 9 Points:


Ally's Mum discovers spilt milk: 9-3 = 6

Then Dad confesses he spilt the milk and writes "undo". Mum calculates: 6-(-3) = 6+3 = 9


So if you subtract a negative, you gain points
(ie the same as adding points).

subtract 3/4 of a cent from $.4900

To justify your answer in words for the problem -5 - 3 = -8, you can follow these steps:

1. Begin by stating the problem: The problem is -5 minus 3 equals -8.

2. Explain what each number represents: In this case, -5 represents a negative value of 5, and 3 represents a positive value of 3.

3. Express the operation being performed: "Minus" or "subtraction" implies that we are combining the two numbers by subtracting them.

4. Describe the process: Start with -5 and subtract 3.

- Begin from -5 on the number line.
- Move 3 units to the left (since we are subtracting a positive number).
- The final position on the number line will be at -8.

5. Conclude the answer: Therefore, when we subtract 3 from -5, we get a final result of -8.

In summary, you would justify your answer by explaining each step as you perform the subtraction operation and describe the movement on the number line to reach the final result of -8.