Learn the basics of subtraction and how to solve the problem “what is -3 – 18” with our step-by-step guide. Improve your math skills today!

Are you struggling to understand basic math operations, particularly subtraction? You’re not alone. Subtraction is a fundamental concept in mathematics that many students struggle with. But fear not, in this article, we’ll break down the basics of subtraction and show you how to solve -3 – 18.

Understanding Subtraction

Before we dive into the problem at hand, let’s review the basics of subtraction. Subtraction is the process of finding the difference between two numbers. The number being subtracted is called the subtrahend, while the number subtracted from the subtrahend is called the minuend. The result of the subtraction is called the difference.

To subtract two numbers, you need to follow a few rules. First, write the larger number (minuend) on top and the smaller number (subtrahend) on the bottom. Then, align the numbers by place value (ones with ones, tens with tens, etc.). Finally, subtract each digit starting from the right-hand side. If the subtrahend is larger than the minuend, borrow from the next place value.

Rules of Subtraction

Subtraction follows a few basic rules that you need to know to solve problems correctly. These rules include:

• When subtracting two numbers with the same sign, subtract the absolute values and keep the sign of the larger number.
• When subtracting two numbers with different signs, add their absolute values and keep the sign of the larger number.
• When subtracting a number from zero, the difference is the negative of the number being subtracted.

By following these rules, you can solve any subtraction problem with ease. Now, let’s move on to solving -3 – 18.

Solving -3 – 18 may seem daunting at first, but it’s a straightforward process when you understand the basics of subtraction. Let’s break down the problem step-by-step:

Step 1: Write -3 – 18 as -3 + (-18). This is because subtracting a number is the same as adding its opposite.

Step 2: Add the absolute values of the two numbers, which gives us 21.

Step 3: Keep the sign of the larger number, which is negative, and attach the absolute value we found in step 2. The final answer is -21.

Therefore, -3 – 18 = -21.

It’s important to note that when subtracting a negative number, you add the absolute values of the numbers and keep the sign of the first number. In this case, the first number is -3, which is negative, so the final answer is also negative.

Now that you’ve seen how to solve -3 – 18 step-by-step, let’s move on to real-life applications of subtraction.

Solving -3 – 18: Common Mistakes to Avoid

While solving -3 – 18 is a simple process, there are common mistakes that students make when learning subtraction. Here are a few things to keep in mind to avoid these mistakes:

• Forgetting to change the sign: When subtracting a negative number, it’s important to remember to change the sign of the second number to its opposite before adding.
• Borrowing from the wrong place value: When subtracting two numbers, we sometimes need to borrow from the next place value. Make sure you are borrowing from the correct place value and subtracting the correct number.
• Forgetting to align the numbers: When subtracting two numbers, it’s important to align them by place value to avoid confusion.

By keeping these common mistakes in mind, you can avoid errors when solving subtraction problems.

Real-Life Applications of Subtraction

Subtraction is a fundamental math concept that has many real-life applications. Here are a few examples of how subtraction is used in everyday life:

• Budgeting: When creating a budget, we subtract our expenses from our income to determine how much money we have left over.
• Cooking: When following a recipe, we often need to subtract fractions or units of measurement to adjust the recipe for the number of servings we need.
• Distance: When calculating distance, we subtract the starting point from the ending point to determine the distance traveled.

Math skills, including subtraction, are essential in daily life. From calculating bills to measuring ingredients, math is used in many aspects of our lives. By understanding the basics of subtraction and its real-life applications, you can improve your math skills and be better equipped to handle everyday situations that require math knowledge.

In conclusion, understanding the basics of subtraction is essential for anyone looking to improve their math skills. By following the rules of subtraction and avoiding common mistakes, you can solve any problem with ease. Remember that subtraction has many real-life applications, so mastering this concept can benefit you in many areas of your life.

Practice Problems: Test Your Subtraction Skills

The best way to improve your math skills is through practice. Here are a few subtraction problems to help you sharpen your skills:

1. 32 – 15 =
2. 74 – 49 =
3. 89 – 62 =
4. 46 – 18 =
5. 63 – 91 =
6. 101 – 89 =

Practice these problems and use the rules of subtraction we discussed earlier to solve them. As you gain more confidence in your skills, try more challenging problems. You can find a wealth of practice problems online or in textbooks.

Conclusion: Keep Learning and Practicing

Subtraction may seem daunting at first, but it’s a fundamental concept that’s essential for building strong math skills. By following the rules of subtraction and practicing regularly, you can improve your skills and gain confidence in your abilities.

In this article, we broke down the basics of subtraction and showed you how to solve -3 – 18 step-by-step. We also discussed real-life applications of subtraction and provided practice problems to help you sharpen your skills.

Remember, math is a lifelong skill that requires continuous learning and practice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling, and keep pushing yourself to learn and grow. With dedication and perseverance, you can become a skilled mathematician and tackle even the most challenging problems with ease.