The given expression is
-4 = _____ - 9
Since the first number in the subtraction sentence must be the greatest number, then move to the right from -9 to -4 on the number line and count how many steps do you move
It is 5 steps
1 step from -9 to -8
1 step from -8 to -7
1 step from -7 to -6
1 step from -6 to -5
1 step from -5 to -4
Then the answer should be 5
You can also subtract -9 from -4 to find the answer
-4 - (-9) = - 4 + 9 = 5
The missing value is 5
