What is 9 - 17?

For 9 - 17, begin at 9 on the number line and move 17 units left, decreasing the value with each step. After 9 steps, you reach 0, and continuing 8 more steps lands you at -8. Subtracting a larger number from a smaller one produces a negative outcome since it creates a deficit. The absolute difference between 9 and 17 is 8, and since 17 is larger, the result is -8. Therefore, 9 - 17 = -8.