Question

Use properties of addition and subtraction to evaluate the expression. -19 - 53 - 31 Enter your answer in the box.

Answer 1

You may combine these 3 numbers in any order.

-19 -53 = -72, and then
-72 - 31 = -103.

You could combine -53 and -31 first, and then combine the result with -19.

Answer 2

-19 - 53 - 31
= -(19 + 53 + 31)
= -(19 +31 + 53)
= -((20-1) + (30+1) +53)
= -(20 +30 +53)
= -(50 +53)
= -103