Question

Can -3 be represented by a pile containing a total of 19 tiles?

a. Yes, because the pile can have a mix of positive and negative tiles.
b. No, since the number of tiles represents the magnitude, not the sign.
c. Yes, because the pile can have negative tiles only.
d. No, because negative numbers cannot be represented by tiles.

Answer 1

No, since the number of tiles represents the magnitude, not the sign.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is b. No, since the number of tiles represents the magnitude, not the sign.

In this scenario, a pile containing a total of 19 tiles cannot represent the number -3. The number of tiles in the pile represents the magnitude or absolute value of a number, not the sign. Therefore, even if the pile contains negative tiles, it will still represent a positive number.

To represent the number -3 with a pile of tiles, you would need a total of 3 negative tiles in the pile.