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Negative Results

The Hook

Going sub-zero.

What is it?

The result when a larger number is subtracted from a smaller number.

Time Travel (History)

Brahmagupta (7th Century India) was the first to formalize rules for negative numbers, treating them as 'debt'.

Cheat Code

Small - Big = Negative (Big - Small).

Practice This Now!

The Field Guide

In Plain English: If you have $5 and spend $10, you don't have $0... you have -$5. You owe money. On a number line, this means going past zero into the frozen zone.

In The Real World: Overdraft fees. Temperature drops.

How To Do It

  1. Recognize the Second number is bigger than the First.
  2. Swap them in your head (Big - Small).
  3. Perform the subtraction.
  4. Add a Negative sign (-) to the front of the answer.
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Booby Trap!

Thinking it's impossible. It's just negative.

Real World Challenge
"It is 5 degrees. The temp drops 10 degrees. What is the temp?"
The Logic: 5 - 10. Think 10 - 5 = 5. Add negative sign. Result: -5 degrees.

Training Drills

Debt
5 - 8 = -3
You are 3 short.