Question

Explain the steps you would take to evaluate the expression \(5-7-(-4)\)

Short answer

The final answer after evaluating the expression \(5-7-(-4)\) is 2

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Problem

The expression given is \(5 - 7 - (-4)\). The numbers are being subtracted. The special scenario here is the last part, where 4 is being subtracted, and it has a negative sign. The minus sign before the parentheses multiplies with the negative number inside, which results in a positive number.

Apply Subtraction of First Two Numbers

Now subtract the first two numbers, which gives \(5 - 7 = -2\).

Handle Negative of Negative Four

-(-4) is equal to +4. When a negative sign is placed before a negative number, it results in a positive number.

Subtraction

Now, we can subtract -2 (from step 2) and 4 (from step 3) which results in \(-2 + 4 = 2\)