Example

Simplifying 211321 - 13 and 117-11 - 7 Using the Subtraction Property

Applying the subtraction property verifies that subtracting a number yields the identical result as adding its opposite:

  • 2113=821 - 13 = 8 and 21+(13)=821 + (-13) = 8: Both expressions produce 88, confirming that 2113=21+(13)21 - 13 = 21 + (-13).
  • 117=18-11 - 7 = -18 and 11+(7)=18-11 + (-7) = -18: Both expressions produce 18-18, confirming that 117=11+(7)-11 - 7 = -11 + (-7).

These paired examples reinforce that the property ab=a+(b)a - b = a + (-b) is valid whether the initial number is positive or negative.

0

1

Updated 2026-05-01

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.1 Foundations - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Related