Beginning Algebra Tutorial 5

Beginning Algebra
Answer/Discussion to Practice Problems
Tutorial 5: Adding Real Numbers

WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab > Beginning Algebra > Tutorial 5: Adding Real Numbers

Answer/Discussion to 1a

-15 + 7

-15 + 7 = -8

The difference between 15 and 7 is 8 and the sign of 15 (the larger absolute value) is -, that is how we get the answer of -8.

(return to problem 1a)

Answer/Discussion to 1b

*Mult. top and bottom of first fraction by 2 to get the LCD of 10

*Add the numerators and write over common denominator 10

The sum of the absolute values would be 13/10 and their common sign is -, that is how we get the answer of -13/10.

(return to problem 1b)

Answer/Discussion to 1c

3.2 + (-1.3) + (- 4.1)

*3.2 + (-1.3) = 1.9
*1.9 + (-4.1) = -2.2

(return to problem 1c)

Answer/Discussion to 1d

|- 4 + (-3) + 2|

*- 4 + (-3) = -7
* - 7 + 2 = -5
*Evaluate the absolute value

(return to problem 1d)

Answer/Discussion to 2a

1/2

The opposite of 1/2 is -1/2, because both of these numbers have the same absolute value, but are on opposite sides of the origin on the number line.

(return to problem 2a)

Answer/Discussion to 2b

-20

The opposite of -20 is 20, because both of these numbers have the same absolute value, but are on opposite sides of the origin on the number line.

(return to problem 2b)

Answer/Discussion to 3a

-(- 4)

Since the opposite of a negative is a positive, our answer is 4.

(return to problem 3a)

Answer/Discussion to 3b

*Evaluate the absolute value

(return to problem 3b)

WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab >Beginning Algebra > Tutorial 5: Adding Real Numbers