Question

Which symbol correctly completes the statement?

-7 + 2 ___ 3 + (-9)

=
<
>

Answer 1

To determine which symbol correctly completes the statement \(-7 + 2 \_\_\_ 3 + (-9)\), we first need to simplify both sides of the inequality.

Calculate the left side:
\[
-7 + 2 = -5
\]

So the left side becomes \(-5\).

Now calculate the right side:
\[
3 + (-9) = 3 - 9 = -6
\]

Now we have:

\[
-5 \_\_\_ -6
\]

Next, we compare \(-5\) and \(-6\):

Since \(-5\) is greater than \(-6\), we can write the statement as:

\[
-5 > -6
\]

Thus, the correct symbol to complete the statement is:

\[
>
\]

The complete statement is:

\(-7 + 2 > 3 + (-9)\)