Question

How should you group the following expression to make it easiest to add? 18 − 949 + 79 − 8(1 point)
Responses

(18 − 8) + (−949 + 79)
Left Parenthesis 18 minus 8 Right Parenthesis plus Left Parenthesis negative 9 Start Fraction 4 over 9 End Fraction plus Start Fraction 7 over 9 End Fraction Right Parenthesis

(8 − 18) + (49 + 79)
Left Parenthesis 8 minus 18 Right Parenthesis plus Left Parenthesis Start Fraction 4 over 9 End Fraction plus Start Fraction 7 over 9 End Fraction Right Parenthesis

(18 − 9 − 8) + (−49 + 79)
Left Parenthesis 18 minus 9 minus 8 Right Parenthesis plus Left Parenthesis negative Start Fraction 4 over 9 End Fraction plus Start Fraction 7 over 9 Right Parenthesis

(18 − 8 − 9)

Answer 1

To make the expression \( 18 - 949 + 79 - 8 \) easiest to add, we can try to group it in a way that allows us to combine numbers that are easier to work with.

Let's evaluate the options provided:

1. **(18 − 8) + (−949 + 79)**:
- This simplifies to \(10 + (-870)\), which is straightforward, but involves large absolute values.

2. **(8 − 18) + (49 + 79)**:
- This grouping is incorrect as it changes the numbers that we are adding and would lead to confusion.

3. **(18 − 9 − 8) + (−49 + 79)**:
- This grouping incorrectly modifies the original numbers and doesn't help simplify the addition.

4. **(18 − 8 − 9)**:
- This option doesn't seem to group the entire expression appropriately.

A better approach is to rearrange the numbers in the expression directly:

1. Combine \(18 - 8\) first, which equals \(10\).
2. Then include \(+\ 79\) and \(- 949\).

Hence, a good grouping would be:
\[
(10 + 79) - 949
\]
This equals \(89 - 949\), and simplifies to \(-860\), which is a straightforward calculation.

So, based on the options, **(18 − 8) + (−949 + 79)** is the best choice for clarity and ease of addition.