Allison is evaluating the expression [tex]\(-5 - (-2)\)[/tex] using integer tiles. She begins with 5 negative tiles as shown.

What should Allison do next to find the value of the expression?

A. remove 2 negative tiles
B. remove 3 negative tiles
C. add 2 negative tiles



Answer :

To solve the expression [tex]\(-5 - (-2)\)[/tex] using integer tiles, here's a structured approach that Allison should follow:

1. Start with the Initial Tiles:
- Begin with 5 negative tiles representing [tex]\(-5\)[/tex].

2. Understand the Operation:
- The expression [tex]\(-5 - (-2)\)[/tex] can be interpreted as subtracting negative 2 from negative 5.

3. Convert the Subtraction of a Negative to Addition:
- Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart.
- Therefore, [tex]\(-5 - (-2)\)[/tex] simplifies to [tex]\(-5 + 2\)[/tex].

4. Add the Positive Tiles:
- Allison should now add 2 positive tiles to the existing 5 negative tiles.

5. Combine the Tiles:
- Combine the negative and positive tiles accordingly.
- Combining 5 negative tiles with 2 positive tiles essentially means reducing the number of negative tiles by 2.

6. Resulting Tiles:
- After combining, Allison will have 3 negative tiles left.

Thus, to evaluate the expression [tex]\(-5 - (-2)\)[/tex], Allison should remove 2 negative tiles. This is because adding 2 positive tiles cancels out 2 of the negative tiles, effectively leaving her with 3 negative tiles to represent the answer, [tex]\(-3\)[/tex].