Problem 17 - Introductory Algebra for College Students

Question

Perform the indicated subtraction. $$-45-(-45)$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The simplified value of \(-45 - (-45)\) is \(0\).

Step 1: Translate the operation

In mathematics, subtracting a negative number is the same as adding a positive number. So we translate the operation \(-45 -(-45)\) into \(-45 + 45\).

Step 2: Perform the addition

Now that we have translated the subtraction to addition, it´s easy to perform the operation. \(-45 + 45 = 0\)

Step 3: Result

The simplified value of \(-45 - (-45)\) is \(0\)