Subtracting Negative Numbers
When Subtracting a positive number from a negative number—start at the negative number, and count backwards the additional amount you’re subtracting.
Example: Let’s say we had the problem -5 – 3. This would be read as “negative five minus three.” This can be thought of on a number line, which means we’re going to start at the negative number (-5) and keep counting back the -3, arriving at -8.