Use the additive inverse to find −123.45−(−234.76).

<mo>&#x2212;<!-- − -></mo>
<mn>111.31</mn>
</math>

1 answer

To solve \(-123.45 - (-234.76)\) using the additive inverse, we need to remember that subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart. Therefore, we can rewrite the expression as:

\[ -123.45 + 234.76 \]

Now, we can perform the addition. Aligning the numbers:

\[ \begin{array}{r} -123.45 \

  • 234.76 \ \hline \end{array} \]

Now we can add:

  1. Start from the rightmost digit (hundredths place): \(6 + 5 = 11\). Write down \(1\) and carry over \(1\).
  2. Next column (tenths place): \(7 + 4 + 1 = 12\). Write down \(2\) and carry over \(1\).
  3. Next column (units place): \(4 + 3 + 1 = 8\).
  4. Next column (tens place): \(2 + 2 = 4\).
  5. Finally, in the hundreds place: \(2\).

Putting it all together gives:

\[ 111.31 \]

Thus, the final result is:

\[ -123.45 - (-234.76) = 111.31 \]