Final answer:
The calculation of -492.89 - (-871.78) results in 378.89, by adding the additive inverse of -871.78 (which is +871.78) to -492.89.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find -492.89 - (-871.78), you can use the concept of an additive inverse. The additive inverse of a number is what you add to that number to get zero. In this case, the additive inverse of -871.78 is +871.78.
So, the calculation becomes:
-492.89 + 871.78
Now let's add them:
871.78 (positive) is greater than 492.89 (negative), so the result will be positive. Subtracting the smaller absolute value from the larger gives us:
871.78 - 492.89 = 378.89
Therefore, the correct answer to the question -492.89 - (-871.78) is a) 378.89.