Question

Find each sum or difference.

$12-34$

Short answer

The difference of numbers is – 22.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Rewrite as a sum.

To subtract 34, we will add its inverse. 12 + ( –34).

Step 2. Determine to add or subtract.

Since 12 and – 34 are of opposite signs. So we will subtract them.

Step 3. Determine the sign.

Subtract the absolute values. Since, |–34| is greater than |12|, so the result will be negative.

We can write $12+(–34)=–\left(\right|–34|–|12\left|\right)$

Step 4. Simplify.

We know that the absolute values of the non-zero numbers are always positive.

So, $–\left(\right|–34|–|12\left|\right)=–(34–12)=–22$