-6y-2y: when is '-' a minus sign, and when is it a negative?

[sj]

I'm very confused with (-) minus and (-) negative sign.

When is (-) minus sign and when is (-) negative sign?

if the question is 4x-6y+16-3x-2y

how do you know which one (-) is a minus sign or the negative sign

 

[wjm11]

I'm very confused with (-) minus and (-) negative sign.

When is (-) minus sign and when is (-) negative sign?

if the question is 4x-6y+16-3x-2y

how do you know which one (-) is a minus sign or the negative sign

Confusion over this is common. Don't worry. They are really the same thing. If you like, you can rewrite your expression as follows:

4x + (-6y) +16 + (-3x) + (-2y)

In other words, you can either say, "plus (a negative number)", or simply "minus (a number)". Just remember that the negative sign will "stay with" the number immediately to its right. I hope that helps a little bit.[/quote]

 

[sj]

Thank you so much for your help!

You made it so easy to understand.

AWESOME!!!