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Example

Simplifying 21−1321 - 13 and −11−7-11 - 7 Using the Subtraction Property

Applying the subtraction property verifies that subtracting a number yields the identical result as adding its opposite: - 21−13=821 - 13 = 8 and 21+(−13)=821 + (-13) = 8: Both expressions produce 88, confirming that 21−13=21+(−13)21 - 13 = 21 + (-13). - −11−7=−18-11 - 7 = -18 and −11+(−7)=−18-11 + (-7) = -18: Both expressions produce −18-18, confirming that −11−7=−11+(−7)-11 - 7 = -11 + (-7). These paired examples reinforce that the property a−b=a+(−b)a - b = a + (-b) is valid whether the initial number is positive or negative.

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Updated 2026-08-11

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