Question

Here are six number cards: -7, -5, -3, 3, 1, -1. Arrange the cards into three pairs with the same total. Write each pair on separate lines using the word 'and' between the numbers.

Answer 1

To arrange the given number cards into three pairs with the same total, we look for pairs of numbers whose sum is equal. The pairs are: -7 and -5, -3 and -1, and -7 and -1.

Step-by-step explanation:

To arrange the given number cards into three pairs with the same total, we need to find pairs of numbers whose sum is equal. First, let's look for pairs that have a positive sum:

1. -7 + 3 = -4
2. -5 + 3 = -2
3. -3 + 3 = 0
4. 1 + 3 = 4
5. -1 + 3 = 2
6. -7 + 1 = -6

None of the pairs with positive sum have the same total. Now, let's look for pairs with a negative sum:

1. -7 + (-5) = -12
2. -7 + (-3) = -10
3. -7 + (-1) = -8
4. -5 + (-3) = -8
5. -5 + (-1) = -6
6. -3 + (-1) = -4

We can see that the pairs -7 and -5, -3 and -1, and -7 and -1 have the same total of -12. Therefore, the pairs are: -7 and -5, -3 and -1, and -7 and -1.