Question

Simplify the expression - 1.2+(-3.8). On the test, when Maureen simplified the expression she got

-2.6. What mistake did Maureen likely make when she simplified the expression?

Answer 1

-5, view below for what Maureen did wrong.

Explanation:

Given:

-1.2+(-3.8)

A positive times a negative is a negative:

-1.2-3.8

Subtract:

-5

Instead of distributing the positive sign into the -3.8 and subtracting, Maureen added 1.2 to -3.8, leading to -2.6 instead of -5.