Problem 46 - Beginning and Intermediate Algebra

Question

Find each sum or product. $$ 2998+3+2+17 $$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

3020

Step 1 - Identify the operation

Determine whether the exercise requires addition or multiplication. In this case, the operation is addition.

Step 2 - Add the Numbers Sequentially

Start by adding the first two numbers: 2998 + 3 = 3001

Step 3 - Continue Addition

Add the next number to the result of the previous addition: 3001 + 2 = 3003

Step 4 - Add the Final Number

Finally, add the remaining number: 3003 + 17 = 3020

Key Concepts

Understanding Addition

Addition is a fundamental arithmetic operation. It involves combining two or more numbers to get their total. In the formula, the numbers being combined are called *addends* and the result is known as the *sum*.

Here is a quick example to help illustrate the concept: i.e., adding 2 and 3, can be visualized as adding 2 items plus 3 more items, making a total of 5 items. The numbers 2 and 3 are the addends, and 5 is the sum.

Step-by-Step Solutions

Breaking down a problem into small, manageable steps is key to understanding how to solve it. Let's look at our problem with the addition operations:

1. Identify the operation: First, recognize whether the operation is addition or multiplication. Here, it is addition.
2. Add the numbers sequentially: Begin with the first two numbers (2998 + 3). Their sum is 3001.
3. Continue addition: Add the next number to the result from the previous step (3001 + 2). This gives us 3003.
4. Finalize the sum: Add the last number to this ongoing sum (3003 + 17) to get the final answer, which is 3020.
By following these steps, complex problems become much easier to solve.

Sequential Addition Explained

Sequential addition is the method of adding numbers in a particular order, one after the other. This is especially useful when dealing with long strings of numbers.

Consider our example of adding 2998, 3, 2, and 17. Instead of adding them all at once, we do it step-by-step:

• First, add 2998 and 3 to get 3001.
• Next, take the sum of 3001 and 2, which is 3003.
• Finally, add 3003 and 17 to achieve the final sum of 3020.

By handling the numbers sequentially, it minimizes errors and makes the process much simpler and more manageable!