Start learning →

Add: 37 + (-53).

A16
B-90
C-16
D90
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. -16
1. The signs are different, so subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger: 53 minus 37 is 16. 2. Picture 37 positive counters lined up against 53 negative counters; every pair cancels and negatives remain. 3. The sum takes the negative sign, giving -16. 4. Adding the absolute values to get 90 is the trap for treating both numbers as if they had the same sign. _Source: OpenStax Elementary Algebra (CC BY 4.0), Ch 1 "Foundations", section 1.3 Add and Subtract Integers_
Practise this question with Quill — GED →

Keep practising Foundations

Browse all Foundations questions for GED, or explore more Mathematics topics.

Start a Foundations lesson →
Related questions