Question

Find the value of the given expression: $23+\left( -17 \right)+\left( -11 \right)+16$

Answer 1

Hint: To solve this question we will first look at some rules related to + and – sign that one should be aware of, and then after that with using these rules we will try to solve this question and find out the value of the given expression.

Complete step-by-step answer:

So, let’s look at the four rules:

a)$\left( + \right)\times \left( + \right)=\left( + \right)$
b)$\left( + \right)\times \left( - \right)=\left( - \right)$
c)$\left( - \right)\times \left( + \right)=\left( - \right)$
d)$\left( - \right)\times \left( - \right)=\left( + \right)$

So, now have gone through all the four rules that are required to solve this problem,

First let’s solve that part where we encounter such problems,

Like:

$\begin{align}

  & +(-17) \\

 & =(+)\times (-)\times 17 \\

 & =-17 \\

\end{align}$

And,

$\begin{align}

  & +(-11) \\

 & =(+)\times (-)\times 11 \\

 & =-11 \\

\end{align}$

Now we have solved that part where the rule was applicable,

Now the only thing left is to add and subtract,

$23+\left( -17 \right)+\left( -11 \right)+16$

$\begin{align}

  & =23-17-11+16 \\

 & =6-11+16 \\

 & =-5+16 \\

 & =11 \\

\end{align}$

Hence, the correct answer for this question is 11.


Note: There are many ways to solve this question like changing the order of addition and subtraction will change some number in the steps but in the end we will get the same answer, but most important point is to understand the use of rules that is given, if one is unaware of these rules that there is a huge chance that he or she will make mistakes in the + and – sign and that will result in the wrong answer.