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

When solving equations with integers, the numbers inside parentheses indicate negative values. In the provided example, (-28) and (-16) both represent negative numbers. To solve the equation, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by adding the numbers without parentheses:
36 + (-28) + (-16) + 24

2. Add the positive numbers first:
36 + 24 = 60

3. Then, add the negative numbers separately:
-28 + (-16) = -44

4. Combine the results from steps 2 and 3:
60 + (-44)

5. Finally, add the positive and negative numbers together, but remember to take the sign of the larger number (in absolute value):
60 - 44 = 16

Therefore, the solution to the equation is y = 16.