Question

Janelle subtracts –4 from a number. The result is 2. What is the number?

Answer 1

-2 - (-4) = 2

Explanation:

? - (-4) = 2

The double negative makes a positive. So in reality, you're adding a positive.

? + 4 = 2

In this step, many can just guess the number just by looking at the equation, but here's the long way:

? + 4 = 2

Subtract 4 from both sides

? = 2 - 4

and the answer is ...

-2 = 2 - 4

or -2 - (-4) = 2

Answer 2

6

Explanation:

You can do this algebraically:

Step 1: Write the unknown number as x

The directions say subtract four from the number, and is equal to 2, so

x - 4 = 2

Step 2: Add four to both sides

x = 6