Final answer:
To solve equations with subtraction, always subtract the same number from both sides, following specific rules for whole numbers, decimals, and negative numbers, and ensure the result is rounded to the same number of decimal places as the number with the least.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve basic equations with subtraction, you can apply the following principle: subtract the same number from both sides of the equation. When dealing with whole numbers, decimals, and negative numbers, there are specific rules to follow:
- When subtracting two positive numbers, simply subtract the smaller number from the larger one, e.g., 5 - 3 = 2.
- For two negative numbers, change the sign of the number being subtracted and add, e.g., -4 - (-2) = -4 + 2 = -2.
- If the numbers have opposite signs, subtract the smaller number from the larger number, and the answer has the sign of the larger number, e.g., -5 - 3 = -5 + (-3) = -8.
Remember that in addition or subtraction with decimals, the result should be rounded to the same number of decimal places as the number with the least decimal places. The same balancing principle that ensures an equation remains equal applies to both operations. The goal is to isolate the variable, and to do so, you perform the same operation on both sides.