Question

In the problem below, what number must be added to bring the value of the expression to zero?

−13+6+4.5−4.5+13
a) 4.5
b) 13
c) -6
d) 0

Answer 1

To bring the value of the expression -13+6+4.5-4.5+13 to zero, you need to add the number that cancels out the total sum of the positive and negative numbers in the expression. The number that must be added is 6.

Step-by-step explanation:

To bring the value of the expression -13+6+4.5-4.5+13 to zero, we need to add the number that cancels out the total sum of the positive and negative numbers in the expression.

In this case, the sum of the positive numbers is 6 + 4.5 + 13 = 23.5, and the sum of the negative numbers is -13 - 4.5 = -17.5.

To make the expression equal to zero, we need to add the opposite of the total sum of all the numbers, which is -17.5 + 23.5 = 6.

Therefore, the number that must be added to bring the value of the expression to zero is 6 (option a).