Question

A scuba diver used the expression below to describe his position in relation to sea level.

2 + (negative 20) + 8

Answer 1

The expression 2 + (negative 20) + 8 can be simplified by adding the numbers in any order, since addition is commutative. One way to do this is to add the positive and negative numbers separately, and then combine the results. For example:2 + (negative 20) + 8 = (2 + 8) + (negative 20) = 10 + (negative 20) = negative 10The simplified expression is negative 10. This means that the scuba diver is 10 meters below sea level.