Question

Find the difference. $$ -3.2-1.7 $$

Short answer

The difference between -3.2 and -1.7 is -1.5.

Step-by-step solution

Rewrite the operation

Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding the positive of that number. So, this subtraction of negative numbers can be rewritten as: \( -3.2 + 1.7 \).

Perform the addition

Now, just add these two numbers together: \( -3.2 + 1.7 = -1.5 \)

Conclusion

The difference between -3.2 and -1.7 is -1.5. The subtraction operation becomes addition when subtracting negative numbers.