How do you evaluate #-17+(-9)#?

1 Answer
Mar 12, 2018

#-26#

Explanation:

Think of this rule:

A friend (positive) of an enemy (negative) is an enemy (negative)

We have:

#-17+(-9)# We now have an enemy.

#-17-9# Add the numbers (ignore the negative sign )

We then get #26#. Just add the enemy.

Our answer is #-26#