Early in school, we are taught about a concept called "subtraction". Subtraction is a function that takes a value away from another value. We learned that any number with a hyphen symbol (-) before it implies a negative number. Today we will learn a simpler technique to master negative number calulations without having to use a calculator.
Yes, they sure can. In fact, this is the secret doorway into advanced mathematics. Sound complicated? Fear not, these teqniques are actually easier than the ones taught in schools. They're also faster and provide another level of mathematical clarity. Lets start simple..
Imagine you are a child playing with sand admiring the flat level of nothingness. Let's call this flat surface 0.
After meditating on the wonders of this nothingness you decide to grab some sand and make a pile. Let's call this pile 1.
You then realize you can create a second pile. Let's call this state 2. Then 3, 4, and so on.
Today you realize you can create positive numbers. Then you discover arithmetic. 2 piles of sand plus 3 piles totals 5.
Not only can you create piles, but you can also create holes.
A pile and a hole annihlate eachother when combined.
A hole is the opposite of a pile. So a hole is the same as 'opp1', thus being a negative #.
Behold, you also realize you can do arithmetic with negative numbers.
You can see that 3 piles and 2 holes make 1 pile. (3 + opp2 = 1)
You can also see that 2 piles and 6 holes make 4 holes. (2 + opp6 = opp 4)
Recent society doesn't use the word opposite, but instead they use a tiny dash called a hyphen (-). (-2 = opp2)
So an equation like "3 + opp2 = 1" would be the same as "3 + -2 = 1".
BUT NOBODY LIKES A PLUS SIGN RIGHT NEXT TO A NEGATIVE!
So to avoid this operation, they invent an operation called Subtraction: The idea of taking away.
3 + -2 = 1 is the same as 3 - 2 = 1.
So the addition of an opposite is cached as an operation called subtraction.
Sadly enough, the idea of subtraction is introduced to our youngsters FIRST in society before the idea of negative #s. This makes it really hard for adults to unthink subtraction. But it really is easier than we think.
Try saying THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SUBTRACTION. It is simply the addition of an opposite. (Mathmeticians know this)
So write and think about everything in terms of OPPOSITES. (-) really just means OPPOSITE.
5 - 3 is the same as 5 + -3. That makes 2 piles in the sandbox!
Would it be possible to do 4 - 6? Absolutely! 4 piles and 6 holes (4 + -6 = -2) makes 2 holes!
Something more complicated like 7 + 3 - 4 + 2 - 5 + 1 is the same as 7 piles + 3 piles + 4 holes + 2 piles + 5 holes + 1 pile.