Question

penny owes her uncle a dollar. She then borrows 4 more dollars from her uncle, but eventually pays him back 3 dollars. How much does Penny still owe her uncle?

Answer 1

She owes him 2 still because she starts with one then gets 4 more giving her 5 and pays back 3 so 5-3=2

Answer 2

So she starts out with -1 dollars. Then she borrows 4 more and gets to -5 dollars. If she pays him back 3 dollars, she is left still owing him 2 dollars as her balance is at -2 dollars.

-1 - 4 + 3 = x

X = -2