Question

Add or subtract: ⓐ −5.123 − 18.47 ⓑ37.42 − 50

Short answer

The result obtained is

ⓐ −23.593

ⓑ −12.58

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Given information

The given numbers are

ⓐ −4.8 − 11.69

ⓑ 9.58 − 10

We have to add or subtract as applicable.

To add or subtract decimals, we line up the decimal points. By lining up the decimal points this way, we can add or subtract the corresponding place values. We then add or subtract the numbers as if they were whole numbers and then place the decimal point in the sum.

Step 2. Solve for part (a) 

$\begin{array}{l}\Rightarrow -5.123-18.47=-\left(5.123+18.47\right)\\ \text{Now},\\ 05.123\\ \underset{¯}{+18.470}\\ \underset{¯}{\text{33.593}}\\ \text{Thus},\\ -5.123-18.47=-\text{33.593}\end{array}$

Step 3. Solve for part (b) 

$\begin{array}{l}\Rightarrow 37.42-50\\ \text{Thedifferencewillbenegative.Tosubtract,wesubtract37.42from50}\\ 50.00\\ \underset{¯}{-37.42}\\ \underset{¯}{\text{12.58}}\\ \text{Thus},\\ 37.42-50=-12.58\end{array}$