Problem 76 - Introductory Algebra for College Students

Question

Solve by writing a sum of signed numbers and adding. On three successive plays, a football team lost 15 yards, gained 13 yards, and then lost 4 yards. What was the team's total gain or loss for the three plays?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The football team's total loss for the three plays was 6 yards.

Step 1: Identify Each Play's Gain or Loss

Firstly, identify the gain or loss of yards for each play. In the first play, the team lost 15 yards, which is represented as a negative number: -15. In the second play, they gained 13 yards, which is a positive number: +13. In the third they lost 4 yards, represented as -4.

Step 2: Add All Yardages Together

The total change in yardage is the sum of the individual plays. So, add together -15 (from the first play), +13 (from the second play), and -4 (from the third play). The equation would look like this: (-15) + (+13) + (-4).

Step 3: Solve The Equation

Perform the addition of the three plays: (-15) + (+13) + (-4) results in -6.

Step 4: Interpret the Result

The sum of -6 represents the total yardage change over the three plays. Negative yardage signifies a loss. Therefore, the team lost 6 yards in total over the three plays.