Very very very basic Algebra help needed!?

I had to read that over a dozen times to really get what you meant.

You ask if it is -c-2 or -c-8, starting from -c -5 +3

If it was noted as -c - (5+3) it would be -c -8. Don't worry about that if you didn't get it, because this is what I think you're getting to.. the -c -5 + 3 means only the 5 is getting subtracted, minused, negated, or whatever. The three is still positive.

You can also think of it as -c + (-5) + 3 if you'd like, or as -c +3 -5. You can think of the 5 as being in debt or in the hole. By the way, the answer is -c-2.

A minus and a negative, are both the same thing. If it would be easier to understand, you could think of -c-8 as 0-c-8. It would be the same thing. The zero is implied with a negative, while the number being subtracted from is explicit when using a minus sign. That's the only real difference between a negative and a minus sign. I hope this helps, but if it doesn't, maybe you should try to get some one-on-one time with your math teacher to get them to explain it to you.

they are the same thing. to solve the second part of the problem you could think of it like this. -c +(-5) +3. same as -c-2. you could think of it as -c+(-2) and the same as

-c-8............ ..-c+(-8). whatever c equals, you will make it a negative for example if we let c equal 2 it will -c-8 will look like -2-8 or -2 + -8= -10... thats all...pretty simple

you dont have to know if it is negative or if it is a minus. i mean if you see the example above you will see that you can solve the problem either if it is negative or minus it doesnt make a difference to tell you the truth. you can solve the problem either it is the one sign or the other.

Well, since subtracting is just adding a negative number, it can work either way. In your case, I would use it as a minus, but that's just me.

I suppose that they are the same thing. You say minus when you are taking something away from something. You say negative when it is less than 0, but not taking away from anything

They are the same thing and it doesnt matter