To use the additive inverse to find \( 8.76 - 26.54 \), we can rewrite the subtraction as the addition of a negative number. The additive inverse of a number is the negative of that number. So, we can rewrite the expression as follows:
\[ 8.76 - 26.54 = 8.76 + (-26.54) \]
Now, we can add the two numbers:
- Add 8.76 and -26.54:
- Start with 8.76.
- Align with -26.54:
\[ \begin{array}{r} 8.76 \ +(-26.54) \ \hline \end{array} \]
- To perform the addition, it's easier if we work with absolute values:
- \( 8.76 \) is positive.
- \( 26.54 \) is negative.
So we subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value and keep the sign of the larger absolute value:
\[ 26.54 - 8.76 = 17.78 \]
Since \( 26.54 \) is larger and negative, the result will be negative:
\[ 8.76 - 26.54 = -17.78 \]
Thus, the final answer is:
\[ \boxed{-17.78} \]