Answer:
12.42 -(-4.8) = 17.22
Explanation:
1. The most important thing to note is the double negative signs, separated by the paranthesis. When 2 signs, numbers, variable, etc... are separated by a ( ) or simply beside each other, such as 2x or 4(6), you would multiply the 2 numbers.
2. In this equation, note that the negative sign is directly beside the (4.8):
(-)(-4.8) This means that you would multiply the negative sign or -1 by the -4,8. Remember multiplication rules with signs: a negative (-) number x a negative (-) number = a POSITIVE number.
3. Therefore, (-)(-4.8) is looking at the problem as (-) x (-4.8) = +4.8.
4. Note that at this point, the equation becomes an addition problem:
12.42 + 4.8 = x
5. Use your calculator to solve or the CORRECT way of simply lining up the decimals, and, there's your answer:
12.42 + 4.8 = 17.22