To determine if the number \( 38 + (-8) \) is rational or irrational, we first perform the calculation:
\[ 38 + (-8) = 38 - 8 = 30 \]
The result is \( 30 \).
A rational number is defined as any number that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers (i.e., \( \frac{a}{b} \) where \( a \) and \( b \) are integers, and \( b \neq 0 \)). Since \( 30 \) can be expressed as \( \frac{30}{1} \), it is indeed a rational number.
Thus, \( 38 + (-8) \) is a rational number.