[MOVED] Subtracting Integer Prealgebra

[LeconteRaynette]

I need help please. I need to know when simplifing integer with subtracting in algebra. I do not understand when you have three or four expression how can you tell if your addend change from a positive to a negative and what is the reason.

Example: -2+ -11 - -3

I am under the expression that -2 does not change, do you keep the + sign? Then I am under the expression that you change -11 to a +11 add the + sign which becomes -2++11 which then is a unlike sign so you subtract the signs and this becomes +9 then you change the plus sign to and addition sign and +9 + + 3 makes these likes sign so you add which becomes +12.

I do know that the answere is wrong. The correct answere is -10. The problem I am having is why does the -11 stays the same. and the -3 changes into +3. I cannot find a rule for simplifing subtracting with three and four numbers.

If you can help me with this it will be very much appreciated, and also tell me where I can go to find worksheets with three and four expressions and the rule it would help me out to pass this class. Thanks Grace

Do not understand fully.

 

[skeeter]

your example should be written in the following manner ...

-2 + (-11) - (-3)

working from left to right with the first two terms ...

-2 + (-11) = -13

when you add two numbers with the same sign, you just add the two numbers and keep the sign. think about this ...
if you owed someone $2 and owed someone else $11, how much do you owe in total?

now the last part ...

-13 - (-3) = -13 + 3 = -10

think of subtraction as adding the opposite. say you owed a total debt of $13, but one of the people you owe said to take away (forget about) $3 of what you owe ... how much do you owe now?