Chapter 2: Problem 25
Translate each phrase; then simplify. Subtract 17 from \(-25 .\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
-42
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Phrase
The phrase 'Subtract 17 from -25' requires translating the words into a mathematical expression. In this case, 'subtract' indicates a subtraction operation, and 'from' implies the number after 'from' is the starting point. Thus, the expression would be:
i.e., -25 - 17.
02
Simplify the Expression
Now that we have translated the phrase into a mathematical expression, the next step is to simplify it. The expression is \(-25 - 17\).When you subtract 17 from -25, you are essentially doing: \[-25 - 17 = -25 + (-17)\].Negative numbers are being added, which is equivalent to moving further left on the number line. Thus, \(-25 + (-17) = -42\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Negative Numbers: Understanding the Basics
Negative numbers are numbers that are less than zero. They are usually represented with a minus sign (e.g., \(-1, -2, -3,\ldots\)). Understanding negative numbers is crucial for performing integer operations like subtraction.
- Negative numbers denote values below zero, often used in contexts such as temperature or debts.
- When comparing, negative numbers are always less than positive numbers.
- Moving left on the number line represents adding negative numbers, while going right represents subtracting them.
Subtraction with Negative Numbers
Subtraction itself is a fundamental arithmetic operation but becomes more intriguing when performed with negative numbers.
- The phrase 'subtract \(b\) from \(a\)' means you take \(b\) away from \(a\), represented as \(a - b\).
- To subtract a positive number from a negative one, it often results in a more negative number, since you're moving further away from zero on the number line.
- Mathematically, \(-25 - 17\) can be rewritten as \(-25 + (-17)\), which is equivalent to moving further into the negatives.
The Number Line: Visualizing Integer Operations
A number line is a straightforward yet powerful tool for visualizing arithmetic operations, especially involving negatives. It consists of a horizontal line marked with numbers at equal intervals, extending infinitely in both positive and negative directions.
- Each point on the number line represents an integer. Moving to the right indicates increasing numbers, while moving left shows decreasing values.
- Negative numbers are shown to the left of zero, reflecting their value being less than zero.
- When you perform \(-25 - 17\), visually, you start from the point marked \(-25\) and move 17 units to the left, landing at \(-42\).