Question

Simplify: -12- (–17)

Answer 1

Given the expression:

$-12-(-17)$

You can simplify it as follows:

1. Multiply the signs applying the Sign Rules for Multiplication:

$\begin{gathered} -\cdot-=+ \\ +\cdot-=- \\ +\cdot+=+ \\ -\cdot+=- \end{gathered}$

Then:

$=-12+17$

2. Notice that the signs of the numbers are different. Therefore, you have to subtract them. The result will have the same sign of the number with the greatest absolute value (in this case, it will be positive:

$=5$

Hence, the answer is:

$=5$