Use counters to subtract –8 − –3.You start with:You subtract:

To subtract -8 - -3 using counters, follow these steps:

1. Start with: You begin by setting up -8 on your number line or counter. This means you move 8 steps to the left of 0.

2. Subtract: Then you subtract -3. Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding a positive number. So, instead of moving 3 steps to the left, you move 3 steps to the right.

So, -8 - -3 equals -5.