Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store

Double Minus One Explained in Mathematics

Reviewed by:
ffImage
hightlight icon
highlight icon
highlight icon
share icon
copy icon

What Does Double Minus One Mean and How to Solve 2 Minus Negative 1

Double Minus One Fact is a strategy used to add two consecutive numbers (numbers that are next to each other). In this strategy, you simply add a bigger number to itself or double it and subtract 1 to get the final result. Let us understand double minus one fact with an example.


Look at the example below. Here, two consecutive numbers, i.e., 7 and 8 have been added using the double minus one strategy.


Double Minus One Fact 3

Double Minus One Fact 3


In the above example, we have doubled the bigger number, i.e., 8 and subtracted 1 to get the final answer, i.e., 15.


Below are a few more examples of the double minus one strategy.


Example 1:

Adding 4 and 3


Apples
Apples

4, 3 Apples

What would be 4 + 3 using the double minus strategy?

Let’s now apply the double minus strategy.


Double Minus One Fact


Double Minus One Fact


4 + 3 = ? 4 + 3 = 4 + 4 - 1 =

7 = 8 - 1

= 7


In the above example, we have doubled the bigger number, i.e., 4 and subtracted 1 to get the final answer, i.e., 7.


Example: 2

Adding 3 and 2


Teddy
Teddy


3, 2 Teddy


What would be 3 + 2 using the double minus strategy?

Let’s now apply the double minus strategy.


Double Minus One Fact


Double Minus One Fact


3 + 2 = ? 3 + 2 = 3 + 3 - 1 =

5 = 6 - 1

= 5


In the above example, we have doubled the bigger number, i.e., 3 and subtracted 1 to get the final answer, i.e., 5.


Double Minus One Fact Solved Examples

Use double minus one fact and solve the following example:


1. 7  + 6 = ?

Solution:

Using the double minus one strategy, we get

7 + 6 = 7 + 7-1

= 14 - 1

= 13

Here, we have doubled the bigger number, i.e., 7 and subtracted 1 to get the final answer, i.e., 13.

Therefore, 7 + 6 = 13 using double minus one strategy.


2. 10 + 9 = ?

Solution:

Using double minus one strategy, we get

10 + 9 = 10 + 10 - 1

= 20 - 1

= 19

Here, we have doubled the bigger number, i.e., 10 and subtracted 1 to get the final answer, i.e., 19.

Therefore, 10 + 9 = 19 using the double minus one strategy.


Do You Know?

  • In Mathematics, double facts state that a double of 5 is 10 because 5 + 5 = 10. In the double fact, you just add the number to itself.

  • The double minus one strategy is only applied to the consecutive numbers or numbers next to each other.


Conclusion

In short, double minus one fact states that ‘double bigger’ and then just “subtract one”. This enables you to answer the questions of how adjacent or consecutive numbers are added using the double minus one strategy. For example, to add 7 + 8, double the bigger number, i.e., 8 and subtract 1. Accordingly, 8 + 8 - 1 = 15. Therefore, 8 + 7 = 15 using double minus one strategy.

FAQs on Double Minus One Explained in Mathematics

1. What does double minus one mean in maths?

In maths, double minus one usually means subtracting negative one, written as -(-1), which equals +1. When two minus signs appear together, they follow the rule that subtracting a negative becomes addition. For example:

  • -(-1) = 1
  • 5 - (-1) = 6
This concept is based on the rules of integers and negative numbers.

2. What is -(-1) equal to?

The value of -(-1) is 1. A negative sign outside the brackets changes the sign of the number inside. Since the opposite of negative one is positive one, the result becomes +1. This follows the integer rule that the opposite of a negative number is positive.

3. Why does minus minus equal plus?

Minus minus equals plus because subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive value. In integer arithmetic:

  • a - (-b) = a + b
For example:
  • 3 - (-2) = 3 + 2 = 5
This rule ensures consistency in number line movement and algebraic operations.

4. How do you solve double minus one step by step?

To solve double minus one, change the double minus into addition and then simplify. Steps:

  • Write the expression: -(-1)
  • Change subtracting a negative to addition
  • Result: +1
So, the final answer is 1.

5. Is double minus the same as positive?

Yes, a double minus becomes positive when one minus is subtracting a negative number. The rule is:

  • -(-a) = +a
For example:
  • -(-4) = 4
This applies in arithmetic, algebra, and signed number operations.

6. What happens on a number line with double minus one?

On a number line, subtracting negative one means moving one step to the right. Since negative movement reversed becomes positive movement:

  • Start at 0
  • Subtract -1
  • Move right to 1
Thus, -(-1) = 1 visually shows movement in the positive direction.

7. What is 5 minus minus 1?

The value of 5 - (-1) is 6. Subtracting a negative turns into addition:

  • Rewrite as 5 + 1
  • Add to get 6
This follows the integer subtraction rule.

8. Does double minus work the same in algebra?

Yes, the double minus rule works the same in algebraic expressions. The identity is:

  • a - (-b) = a + b
Example:
  • x - (-3) = x + 3
This property is used when simplifying equations and solving linear expressions.

9. What is the difference between minus minus and minus plus?

Minus minus turns into addition, while minus plus stays subtraction. For example:

  • 5 - (-2) = 7
  • 5 - (+2) = 3
So, subtracting a negative increases the value, while subtracting a positive decreases it.

10. What are common mistakes with double minus one?

A common mistake is treating double minus as negative instead of positive. Students often:

  • Forget that -(-1) = 1
  • Confuse subtraction with multiplication rules
  • Ignore brackets in expressions like 4 - (-2)
Always remember: subtracting a negative number changes the sign to positive.