Answer:
1) I know that the sum will be negative because a negative number added to another negative number will still be a negative number.
2) First, I simplified -35 + (-61) to -35 - 61, which just equals -96.
-54 + 17 equals 54-17 = 37.
-96 < 37, so -35 + (-61) is less.
Explanation:
The explanation is in the answer section, since your homework asked for me to explain.