Introductory Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-805-X
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-805-9

Chapter 1 - Section 1.6 - Subtraction of Real Numbers - Exercise Set - Page 73: 125

Answer

The result is negative.

Work Step by Step

$a$ is a negative number. Subtracting $b $ (which is negative) is the same as adding $-b$ (which is positive) so, $a-b=a+(-b)$ and we have a positive number $(-b)$ being added to a negative number $(a)$ The number $a$ has greater absolute value (distance from 0),so the result is negative.
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