Answer
$-5$
Work Step by Step
RECALL:
$\\\\a-b=a+(-b)$. Use this rule to have:
$\\\\=-7 + [-(-2)]
\\\\=-7+2$
$\\\\\\$The numbers being added have opposite signs. $|-7| \gt |2|$ so the answer must be negative.
$\\\\$Subtract the respective absolute values keeping in mind that the answer is negative to have:
$\\\\-7 + 2=-(|-7| - |2|)
\\\\=-(7-2)
\\\\=-5$