1Cademy - Simplifying $$15 - 7$$ and $$-14 - 8$$ Using the Subtraction Property

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Subtraction Property of Integers

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Simplifying $15 - 7$ and $-14 - 8$ Using the Subtraction Property

Applying the subtraction property, we can verify that subtracting a number gives the same result as adding its opposite.

$15 - 7 = 8$ and $15 + (-7) = 8$ : Both expressions produce $8$ , confirming that $15 - 7 = 15 + (-7)$ .
$-14 - 8 = -22$ and $-14 + (-8) = -22$ : Both expressions produce $-22$ , confirming that $-14 - 8 = -14 + (-8)$ .

Updated 2026-06-17

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OpenStax Intermediate Algebra

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An accounting clerk is updating a business ledger with two transactions: subtracting a 7 dollar discount from a 15 dollar balance ( ${}15 - 7$ ) and subtracting an 8 dollar expense from a 14 dollar deficit ( $-14 - 8$ ). To simplify these calculations, the clerk applies the subtraction property to rewrite each as the addition of an opposite. Which pair of expressions correctly shows this property being used?
An inventory clerk adjusts stock records in two separate scenarios: removing 7 items from a bin of 15 items (written as ${}15 - 7$ ) and recording 8 additional damaged items against an existing inventory deficit of 14 items (written as $-14 - 8$ ). According to the subtraction property, the clerk can rewrite both of these calculations to give the same result by adding the opposite, resulting in the expressions ${}15 + (-7)$ and $-14 + (-8)$ .
A payroll clerk is reconciling account discrepancies and needs to simplify several balance adjustments. Match each subtraction operation with its equivalent addition form (using the subtraction property) or its final simplified value.
Standardizing Ledger Adjustments
Rewriting Inventory Adjustments
A retail store manager is tracking inventory deficits and needs to simplify the expression $-14 - 8$ using the subtraction property. According to this property, subtracting 8 is mathematically equivalent to adding its opposite. To apply this rule, the manager rewrites the subtraction expression as $-14 +$ ____.
A retail billing coordinator is auditing customer ledger adjustments. To simplify calculations and standardize database entries, the coordinator must apply the subtraction property of integers to convert all raw subtraction operations into equivalent addition operations.

The coordinator needs to process two specific adjustments:
1. Reverting a positive promotional discount from an account balance: ${}15 - 7$
2. Recording a negative debit charge against an existing customer deficit: $-14 - 8$
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