-4.368 - 3.86
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to perform the subtraction of two negative decimal numbers, specifically -4.368 and -3.86.
Answer
$-0.508$
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is $-0.508$.
Steps to Solve
- Rewrite the subtraction as addition
To subtract a negative number, we can rewrite the equation. The problem becomes adding the absolute value of the second number to the first number: $$ -4.368 - (-3.86) = -4.368 + 3.86 $$
- Align the decimal points
Align the two numbers by their decimal points for easier addition:
-4.368
+ 3.860
- Add the numbers
Now, perform the addition. Start from the rightmost digits:
- In the thousandths place: $8 + 0 = 8$
- In the hundredths place: $6 + 6 = 12$ → write down 2 and carry over 1
- In the tenths place: $3 + 8 + 1 = 12$ → write down 2 and carry over 1
- In the units place: $-4 + 3 + 1 = -1$
So, the result becomes: $$ -1.508 $$
- Write the final answer
The final result of the subtraction is $$ -4.368 - (-3.86) = -0.508 $$.
The final answer is $-0.508$.
More Information
Subtraction of negative numbers can often be confusing. However, rewriting the subtraction as addition of their absolute values simplifies the process. This approach works universally for negative numbers.
Tips
- Forgetting to change the operation from subtraction to addition when dealing with negative numbers.
- Misaligning the decimal places during addition, which can lead to incorrect results.
