IF ITS -5000-263
if you subtract a negative to a negative it makes the negative increase. -5000-263 would end up being technically -5000+(-263). A number line would help you, because on a number line, when subtracting, you go to the left.
<em><u>[-5000+(-263)=-5263]</u></em>
IF ITS 263-(-5000)
do you see those two - signs? Those cross eachother out, turning it into a +, also making the -5000 not negative anymore. Making 263-(-5000) = 263+5000.
<em><u>[263+5000=5263]</u></em><em><u> </u></em>
