Final answer:
Subtracting 3 from 1 results in -2 because you remove more than you have. Subtracting 1 from 3 results in 2 as you remove less than you have. Subtraction is not commutative, so the order matters.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you subtract 3 from 1, you are taking three units away from a single unit, which would leave you with a negative amount since you are taking away more than you have. To visualize this, imagine taking 1 step forward and then 3 steps backward; you would end up 2 steps behind where you started. Conversely, when you subtract 1 from 3, you are simply taking one unit away from three units, which leaves you with two units. In this case, imagine taking 3 steps forward and then 1 step back; you are left with a net of 2 steps forward.
Mathematically, here is how it works:
- 3 subtracted by 1: 3 - 1 = 2
- 1 subtracted by 3: 1 - 3 = -2
Remember, when dealing with subtraction, the order of numbers is crucial because subtraction is not a commutative operation (unlike addition, where the order does not affect the result).