Homework Help: math - algebra

Posted by Denise on Friday, August 18, 2006 at 8:32pm.

When solving equations by adding integers, what does it mean when one number is in parenthisis? Do you do something different when they are in parenthisis? Example below:

36 + (-28) + (-16) + 24 = y

Thank you

Numbers in parenthesis means the number is what it is. In the example, the number reads NEGATIVE sixteen. The - sign means negative, not minus. Reading the problem yields:
thirty-six plus a negative twenty-eight plus negative sixteen plus twenty-four.

when adding numbers, the elementary rule is to add like signed numbers
36+ 24 = 60
-28-16= - 44

Then subtract, taking the sign of the larger
60- 44= +16
This is the rule we learn in elementary school. Later, we learn we can go left to right with the same process
36 + (-28) + (-16) + 24
36 + (-28)=8
8 -16= -8
-8+ 24= +16

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