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Subtraction is one of the basic arithmetic operations. It involves taking one number away from another. The minus sign ( - ) is used to indicate subtraction. For example, in the expression '-2 - 6 - 3 - 10', we're repeatedly subtracting numbers.

It's important to remember that subtraction is not commutative. This means that the order in which you subtract numbers matters. For instance, \(3 - 2 \) is not the same as \(2 - 3\). In our example, a careful step-by-step approach ensures we get the correct answer.

When dealing with multiple subtractions, especially involving negative numbers, following proper order of operations becomes crucial. Let's look closer at those negative numbers.

Negative numbers are numbers less than zero. They are written with a minus sign in front, like -2 or -10.

When working with negative numbers in subtraction, it helps to think of it in terms of 'owing' or 'being in the red.' For instance, if you owe 2 dollars and you subtract 6 more dollars, you owe even more. So, -2 - 6 results in -8.

In our exercise, all numbers are negative, and the subtractions lead us deeper into negative values. This can be seen step-by-step as we went from -2 to -8 to -11 and finally to -21.

Understanding how to handle these negative numbers is key to properly running through the simplification process.

The simplification process involves performing operations in the correct order to make an expression less complex, reaching a final value. In mathematics, the rules for this are known as the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS).

For our exercise, since all operations are subtraction, we execute them from left to right. Each step should first focus on the subtraction involving the left-most terms, simplifying the expression incrementally:

• First, subtract 6 from -2 to get -8.
• Next, subtract 3 from -8 to get -11.
• Finally, subtract 10 from -11 to get -21.

This structured approach ensures we don't miss any steps and arrive at the correct answer efficiently.