Problem 3

Question

Consider the subtraction \(5-(-7)\) a. Find the opposite, or additive inverse, of \(-7\) b. Rewrite the subtraction as the addition of the opposite of \(-7\)

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
The additive inverse of -7 is 7, and the subtraction 5-(-7) can be rewritten as the addition problem 5 + 7, which equals 12.
1Step 1: Find the additive inverse of -7
An additive inverse, or opposite, is a number that when added to the original number gives a sum of 0. Since 7 + (-7) = 0, 7 is the additive inverse, or opposite, of -7.
2Step 2: Rewrite the subtraction as the addition of the opposite
Having identified the additive inverse of -7 as 7, the given subtraction problem, 5 - (-7), can be rewritten as 5 + 7, replacing the -(-7) (subtracting negative 7) with +7, which is essentially adding positive 7.
3Step 3: Evaluate the expression
To obtain the final answer, perform the addition 5 + 7 which sums up to 12.