LET’S TRY ONE
What is 4 − (−3)?
7
Subtracting −3 is adding 3, so 4 + 3 = 7.
Learning steps & teaching tips
Rewrite subtraction as addition of the opposite.
- Change subtraction to addition and reverse only the subtracted number’s sign.
- Work through the example. Explain how its evidence supports the answer.
- Try a new question; use the explanation to check your thinking.
Try it together
Write or draw your own example with different numbers. Solve it, then ask a partner to check the method as well as the answer.
Change subtraction to addition and reverse only the subtracted number’s sign.