Evaluate.
--23.7 + (-13.1)
A)-10.6
B)-36.8
C)10.6
D)36.8

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To evaluate -23.7 + (-13.1), we need to add the two numbers with opposite signs. 
We can use the rule: Same sign, add and keep the sign. Opposite sign, subtract and take the sign of the larger number. 
In this case, both numbers are negative. So, we add them and keep the negative sign. 
|-23.7| > |-13.1|. So, our answer is negative and equal to |-23.7| - |-13.1| = -36.8. 
Therefore, the best choice is B. When adding two negative numbers, we add their absolute values and assign the negative sign to the total. Therefore, 23.7 + 13.1 = 36.8, and since both numbers were negative, the answer is -36.8.

Evaluate. --23.7 + (-13.1)