Solve the following expression:
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Solve the following expression:
First we need to locate the number 8 on the number line and move 4.5 steps to the left from it:
Remember the rule:
Now let's rewrite the problem in the appropriate form and solve:
a is negative number.
b is negative number.
What is the sum of a+b?
Think of it as moving on a number line. Adding moves you right, but a negative number means you move in the opposite direction - left! So (+8) + (-4.5) means start at 8 and move 4.5 units left.
Look at which number has the larger absolute value. Since 8 > 4.5, and 8 is positive, your answer will be positive. The sign follows the larger number!
The first gives you 3.5 (positive), while the second gives you -3.5 (negative). The order matters because you're starting from different positions on the number line!
Never ignore them! The parentheses show you the sign of each number clearly. (+8) means positive 8, and (-4.5) means negative 4.5. They prevent confusion about which signs go with which numbers.
Start at your first number (8), then move according to your second number. Since it's -4.5, move 4.5 units to the left. You should land on 3.5!
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