Question

fill in the blanks to make the equation true. choose the correct answer in each drop - down menu.

• ( ) = -1

options for the first blank: 5, -4, -5
options for the second blank: 5, -4, 4

Explanation:

Step1: Let the first blank be \( x \) and the second blank be \( y \), so the equation is \( x - y = -1 \).

We test each pair of numbers from the options (5, -4, -5, 5, -4, 4). Let's try \( x = -5 \) and \( y = -4 \): \( -5 - (-4) = -5 + 4 = -1 \), which matches the right - hand side.

Step2: Verify the calculation.

Calculate \( -5-(-4) \), according to the rule of subtracting a negative number (which is equivalent to adding its positive), so \( -5 + 4=-1 \), which is correct.

Answer:

The first blank is \(-5\) and the second blank is \(-4\) (the equation is \(-5-(-4)=-1\))