Answer
$26$
Work Step by Step
The given description, "subtract $-31$ from $-5$" translates to
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
-5-(-31)
.\end{array}
Since the expression $a-(-b)$ simplifies to $a+b,$ the expression above simplifies to
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
-5-(-31)
\\\\=
-5+31
\\\\=
26
.\end{array}