2. Are the expressions - 5 + - 2 and - 5 - 2 equivalent? Why or why not? Explain and show your work.

Yes, the expressions are equivalent.

Step-by-step explanation:

Notice that - 2 is defined as in additive inverse of 2, that is, 2 + - 2 = 0.

and substracting 2 from 2 is also equal to zero, that is, 2 - 2 = 0.

Thus 2-2 = 2 + - 2, implying - 2 = + - 2. Consequently, - 5 + - 2 = - 5 - 2