Addition and Subtraction

When you are subtracting negative numbers using a number line, the negatives cancel out to make a positive. 

Use a number line to work out 2 - -5.

Here there are two minus signs together. When they combine they make a positive.

So 2 - -5 = 2 + 5. 

Start at 2, and because you are subtracting a negative (which is the same as adding a positive) count five spaces to the right. You should end at 7. 

2 - -5 = 2+5

       = 7