How do I subtract a negative number from a positive number?

[csanta]

I need a formula to subtract a negative from a positive #.
Ex. I have =I3-H3 in the cell but H3 is negative and I3 is positive and it
is adding them instead of just displaying the difference.

 

[John C]

Any time you subtract a negative, it is the same as adding a positive.
=I3-H3, assuming I3=7, and H3=-4
=7-(-4) or 7+4, which =11.
If you want the H column to show a negative value, you could use the formula
of
=I3+H3, or =7+(-4), =7-4, =3
If, however, you want H to have a value that is subtracted, i.e.: H3 is now
4, vice -4, then you could leave the formula as =I3-H3

 

[Mike H]

Hi,

H3 = -6
I3 = 6

Your formula
=I3-H3
Gives me 12. What do you get? What do you expect to get?

Mike

 

[Kevin B]

To subtract a negative number from a positive one, add the two values.

If cell A1 has the value of 123 and cell A2 has the value of -23 then adding
the two together will produce the value of 100

 

[Bruce Sinclair]

Hi,

H3 = -6
I3 = 6

Your formula
=I3-H3
Gives me 12. What do you get? What do you expect to get?

I admit I was a little concerned when I saw this question. Are there really
people using XL without knowing at least a little basic maths ?
Doubly concerning IMO if you define using a spreadsheet as "programming" ...
to which it bears remarkable similarities, particularly in the likely number
of errors found.