Question

When Tom simplified the expression
-2.6+(-5.4), he got 2.8. What mistake did Tom
likely make?

Answer 1

Tom probably added 5.4 to (-2.6), giving him 2.8. He should have added (-5.4) to (-2.6). When you add two negative numbers, the number will get smaller. For example, (-2)+(-2)= -4.