If you look at the images from our recent assignment you’ll notice that -5+(-11) and
-5-11 are equivalent because saying -5-11 is the same as -5+(-11). This is because, to solve -5+(-11) you have to change it to -5-(+11). Once you have done this it is the same as -5-11. They may be different equations but they’re the same once you begin the steps to solving the problem. The first equation is only more complicated with more steps than the other.
-5+11 and -5-(-11) are also equivalent because their answers are the same.
5-(-11) and 5+11 are also equivalent.

While doing this activity I learned to understand better how to solve all different kinds of equations, even if they had the same repeating numbers. Since the signs were in different positions it changed the results. It taught me to really understand when to take certain steps, for example, the different steps for adding and subtracting.

I think it’s important for students to know that the answer of an equation relies on the order of the signs and their placement. If the order of the signs change, the answer will most likely as well. It is also very important to know what steps you need to take for certain types of questions since multiplication, division, addition and subtraction all have different processes.