Alright, let's break it down in a way a 7th grader would understand!
So, imagine you have a number line, which is like a straight path where numbers are placed in order. When we talk about \( p + q \), we're trying to find a new spot on the number line starting from the number \( p \).
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Understanding \( p \): Let's say \( p \) is a number on this line. It could be anything like 3, -1, 0, or even fractions.
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Understanding \( q \): Now, \( q \) is another number, which can be either positive (like 2) or negative (like -3).
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Moving from \( p \):
- If \( q \) is positive, we move to the right from \( p \).
- If \( q \) is negative, we move to the left from \( p \).
So, \( p + q \) is just the new location you end up at after moving \( |q| \) (which is the distance of \( q \) without considering if it's negative) from \( p \) in the correct direction (right for positive, left for negative).
Example:
If \( p = 3 \) and \( q = 2 \), then \( 3 + 2 = 5 \). You start at 3 and move 2 steps to the right to get to 5.
If \( p = 3 \) and \( q = -2 \), then \( 3 + (-2) = 1 \). You start at 3 and move 2 steps to the left to get to 1.
Problem Part:
Now, you mentioned finding the sum of \( p \) and \( q \) and that the answer is -2. We don’t know what \( p \) and \( q \) are exactly, but we can check if they work out.
Let’s say \( p = -1 \) and \( q = -1 \):
- \( -1 + (-1) = -2 \)
So that works! The answer is -2, which is already in its lowest terms.
Overall, finding \( p + q \) is like starting at \( p \) and moving the distance of \( q \) in the right direction—simple as that!