Question

Explain how to simplify the expression -98 - 31? Using the additive inverse.

Answer 1

Given:

The expression is -98 - 31.

To find:

The value of the given expression using the additive inverse.

Solution:

According to the additive inverse, for any number a,

`a+(-a)=0`

Using additive inverse, we have

`98+(-98)=0` ...(i)

`31+(-31)=0` ...(ii)

Now, using (i) and (ii), we get

`98+(-98)+31+(-31)=0`

`(98+31)+(-98-31)=0`

`129+(-98-31)=0`

Subtracting 129 from both sides, we get

`-98-31=-129`

Therefore, the value of given expression is -129.