1. The problem is to calculate $2 - 3$. 2. The subtraction operation means taking away the second number from the first. 3. Here, $2 - 3$ means starting at 2 and moving 3 units to the left on the number line. 4. Since 3 is greater than 2, the result will be negative. 5. Calculate $2 - 3 = -1$. 6. Therefore, the answer is $-1$.