Find each sum or difference. 4 - 9

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the operation to be performed: subtraction.
2. Recognize that you are subtracting 9 from 4.
3. Rewrite the expression as an addition problem: 4 + (-9).
4. Understand that adding a negative number is the same as subtracting the positive number.
5. Calculate the result by moving 9 units to the left on the number line starting from 4.

Key Concepts

Basic Arithmetic Operations

Basic arithmetic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These operations form the foundation of mathematics and are essential for performing calculations. In this context, subtraction is the operation being used to find the difference between two numbers.

Understanding Negative Numbers

Negative numbers are values less than zero and are crucial in arithmetic, especially in subtraction. When subtracting a larger number from a smaller one, the result is a negative number. In the example of 4 - 9, the result is -5, illustrating how negative numbers arise in calculations.

Order of Operations

The order of operations is a set of rules that dictates the sequence in which calculations should be performed to ensure consistent results. While this specific problem involves only a single operation, understanding the order of operations is vital for more complex expressions involving multiple operations.