Question

Using the number line, subtract :

(a) 2 from –3 (b) –2 from –3.

Answer 1

(a) To subtract 2 from –3, we move 2 steps to the left of – 3 on the number line and reach –5. (Fig. 3.3)

So, –3 – 2 = –5.

(b) To subtract –2 from –3, we observe that 2 is the additive inverse of –2.

So, we add 2 to –3 using the number line and reach at –1.

So, –3 – (–2) = –3 + (+ 2) = –1