Example: 2 – (-3) = 5
I learned HOW to solve this type of equation in school…but not the WHY.
In: Mathematics
If you consider a number line painted on the ground under you, with positive numbers ahead of you and negative numbers behind you, you’ve got the framework necessary to understand.
Subtracting a number can be thought of as taking a step backwards.
Subtracting a *positive* number can be thought of taking a step backwards *while facing the positive direction.*
So, if you turn around and face the negative direction, and then start walking backwards, you end up moving in the positive direction.
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