Question

The difference between 2 negative numbers is always negative

Answer 1

The difference between two negative numbers can be positive, contrary to the belief that it is always negative. This happens when the number being subtracted has a larger absolute value than the other number. The result is determined by changing the sign of the subtracted number and following the addition rules.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement "the difference between 2 negative numbers is always negative" is not necessarily true. When considering the difference between two negative numbers, we use the rule for subtraction where we change the sign of the number being subtracted and then follow the rules for addition. Here's an example:

Subtract -6 from -2: -2 - (-6) = -2 + 6.
Following the rule for addition of two numbers with opposite signs, we subtract the smaller number from the larger one and keep the sign of the larger number, resulting in 4.

Therefore, the difference between two negative numbers can be positive if the number being subtracted is more negative (has a larger absolute value) than the number it is subtracted from. This situation is similar to when two forces act in opposite directions with negative signs, where adding the force with the larger absolute value (more negative) to the force with the smaller absolute value (less negative) results in a positive displacement.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

The negative of a negative is the opposite positive number. When you subtract a positive integer from a negative integer, the difference is always negative. When you subtract two negative integers and the first integer is smaller than the second integer , the difference is negative.