Problem 38 - Introductory Algebra for College Students

Question

Find each sum without the use of a number line. $$10+(-3)+(-8)$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The sum of \(10+(-3)+(-8)\) is \(-1\).

Step 1: Identify positive and negative integers

In this exercise, \(10\) is a positive integer while \(-3\) and \(-8\) are both negative integers.

Step 2: Add the positive and negative integers separately

Add the positive integers together and the negative integers together separately. Here, we only have one positive integer which is \(10\), and the sum of the negative integers \(-3\) and \(-8\) gives you \(-11\).

Step 3: Add the results from step 2

Put together the sum of the positive integer from step 2 and the sum of negative integers from step 2, which would be \(10 + (-11)\).

Step 4: Solve

Since \(10 + (-11)\) equals \(-1\), that's your final result.