Use the additive inverse to find -492.89 - (871.78).

Question

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Answer 1

To solve \(-492.89 - 871.78\), you can use the concept of the additive inverse. The additive inverse of a number is the number that, when added to the original number, results in 0. For any number \(a\), its additive inverse is \(-a\).

Given:
\[
-492.89 - 871.78
\]

Using the additive inverse of 871.78 (which is \(-871.78\)), we can rewrite the expression as:
\[
-492.89 + (-871.78)
\]

Now, add the two negative numbers:
\[
-492.89 + (-871.78) = -(492.89 + 871.78)
\]

First, add the absolute values of the two numbers:
\[
492.89 + 871.78 = 1364.67
\]

Since both original numbers were negative, the sum will also be negative:
\[
-1364.67
\]

Therefore, \(-492.89 - 871.78 = -1364.67\).