Ved says 5 − (−3) will be less than 5, because subtracting always makes a number smaller

Why

Ved's rule — subtracting makes things smaller — is one he has only ever tested with positive numbers, where it does hold: 5 − 3 is less than 5. But subtracting a NEGATIVE number is the opposite: taking away a negative is the same as adding a positive, so 5 − (−3) becomes 5 + 3 = 8, which is bigger than 5, not smaller. Think of it as removing a debt: if you owe someone ₹3 and that debt is cancelled, you are ₹3 better off. Test it on a number line — start at 5; subtracting 3 moves you left to 2, but subtracting −3 moves you the other way, right to 8. His sister is right: 5 − (−3) = 8, which is larger than 5 — 'subtracting makes it smaller' only works when you subtract a positive number.