Question

2 which is less: -54 + 17 or 35 + (-61)? show your work.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate -54 + 17

To add a negative number and a positive number, we subtract the absolute values and take the sign of the number with the larger absolute value. The absolute value of -54 is 54, and the absolute value of 17 is 17. So, \( 54 - 17 = 37 \). Since -54 has a larger absolute value, the result is negative. So, \( -54 + 17 = -37 \).

Step2: Calculate 35 + (-61)

Adding a positive number and a negative number is similar to subtraction. We can rewrite this as \( 35 - 61 \). The absolute value of 61 is larger than 35, so we subtract 35 from 61: \( 61 - 35 = 26 \). Since -61 has a larger absolute value, the result is negative. So, \( 35 + (-61) = -26 \).

Step3: Compare -37 and -26

On the number line, numbers to the left are smaller. -37 is to the left of -26 because -37 < -26.

Answer:

\(-54 + 17\) (which equals \(-37\)) is less than \(35 + (-61)\) (which equals \(-26\)). So the answer is \(-54 + 17\).