Question

The first play of a football game resulted in a loss of 12 and 1/2 yards . Then a penalty resulted in another loss of 5 yards .What is the total loss or gain?

Answer 1

To find the total loss for this play, take the two values, find their signs (positive or negative), then sum them. In this case, the play itself resulted in a movement of -12.5 yards, and the penalty added a -5 yard movement to the result. This would lead to a total movement of (-12.5 + [-5]), or -17.5 yards.