Question

Is 71 − –9 positive or negative?

Answer 1

To evaluate \( 71 - (-9) \), we first recognize that subtracting a negative number is the same as adding the positive equivalent of that number. Therefore:

\[
71 - (-9) = 71 + 9
\]

Now, we can perform the addition:

\[
71 + 9 = 80
\]

Since \( 80 \) is a positive number, the result of \( 71 - (-9) \) is positive.