Question

How do you simplify `-14 - 21`?

Answer 1

`-14 - 21 = -14 + (-21) = -35`

Answer 2

`-35`

Explanation:

You can think about this in two ways:

• Using directions on the number line:

A negative number means you are moving to the LEFT, going DOWN the number line.

`-14-21` can be read as as

"Go `14` to the left and then another `21` to the left"

Altogether this will be `35` to the LEFT, giving `-35`

• Negative numbers can also be considered as debts:
  You have borrowed money which needs to be repaid.

Read this as "I borrowed $14 and then another $21"
Altogether I have borrowed $35.

You can write this as an ADDITION of two negative numbers:

`(-14) + (-21) = -35`