To determine whether the number \(-2 + -1\) is rational or irrational, we first need to simplify it.
Calculating \(-2 + -1\): \[ -2 + -1 = -2 - 1 = -3 \]
Now we have \(-3\).
A number is considered rational if it can be expressed as the quotient of two integers (where the denominator is not zero). Since \(-3\) can be expressed as \(-3/1\), it is indeed a rational number.
Therefore, \(-2 + -1\) is a rational number.