When we multiply two negatives they become a positive. In this situation, where there is no other number, you can assume there's basically a 1 in that place.
-5.8 - 1(-8.4) would be just as correct. (If this helps visually clarify anything.)
So we take that -1 and multiply it by that -8.4. Multiplying 1 against anything leaves it the same, so we just need to change the sign. Two negatives make a positive.
