According to the rule for subtracting two numbers, what should you do with the second number?

The correct answer involves understanding how subtraction is essentially the addition of the opposite or additive inverse of a number. When you subtract a number, you can conceptualize it as adding its negative counterpart to the first number. This means that instead of directly subtracting, you replace the second number with its opposite.

For example, if you have the expression ( a - b ), this can be rewritten as ( a + (-b) ). This rephrasing aligns with the principles of adding numbers on a number line, where moving left for subtraction can be interpreted as adding a negative value.

This interpretation is foundational in mathematics, particularly in algebra, and helps simplify operations and solve equations. By converting subtraction into addition of the opposite, it also aids in understanding more complex mathematical concepts such as distributing negative signs or handling equations with variables. The approach emphasizes the relationship between addition and subtraction, reinforcing the idea that they are interconnected operations in mathematics.