Step by step
The question
Question: work out −3 − 8 + (−2) − (−10).
−3 − 8 + (−2) − (−10)
1 Plus and minus
Plus and minus: we go from left to right.
same kind: left → right
Start at −3.
Go down 8.
We land on −11.
= −11 + (−2) − (−10)
Adding a negative is the same as taking away.
+ (−) = −
So −11 + (−2) becomes −11 − 2.
= −11 − 2 − (−10)
Start at −11.
Go down 2.
We land on −13.
= −13 − (−10)
Taking away a negative is the same as adding.
− (−) = +
So −13 − (−10) becomes −13 + 10.
= −13 + 10
Start at −13.
Go up 10.
We land on −3.
= −3
So the answer is −3.
Answer
= −3