Identify Operation and Signs: Identify the operation and the signs of the numbers involved. We are subtracting a negative number from another negative number. The numbers are −11 and −5.
Recall Rule for Subtracting: Recall the rule for subtracting negative numbers. Subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive. So, (−11)−(−5) is the same as (−11)+5.
Perform Addition: Perform the addition. Since we are adding a smaller positive number to a larger negative number, the result will be negative. Calculate −11+5.
Complete Calculation: Complete the calculation. −11+5 equals −6.