-4 - (-8) = ? and 4 - (-4) = ?

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Understand the Problem

The question is asking us to solve two mathematical expressions involving subtraction and negative numbers. We will evaluate the expressions step by step to find the resulting values.

Answer

The answers are $4$ and $8$ respectively.
Answer for screen readers
  • The result of the first expression $-4 - (-8)$ is $4$.

  • The result of the second expression $4 - (-4)$ is $8$.

Steps to Solve

  1. Evaluate the first expression: $-4 - (-8)$

To simplify this, we recognize that subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive. Therefore, we rewrite it as:

$$ -4 + 8 $$

Now, calculate the result:

$$ -4 + 8 = 4 $$

  1. Evaluate the second expression: $4 - (-4)$

Similarly, for this expression, we subtract a negative number, which is equivalent to adding the positive counterpart. Rewrite it as:

$$ 4 + 4 $$

Now, calculate the result:

$$ 4 + 4 = 8 $$

  • The result of the first expression $-4 - (-8)$ is $4$.

  • The result of the second expression $4 - (-4)$ is $8$.

More Information

The results show how subtracting negative numbers can be transformed into addition. This is a useful property in arithmetic, making calculations with negatives simpler.

Tips

  • A common mistake is forgetting that subtracting a negative number turns it into addition. Always remember that $-a - (-b) = -a + b$.

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