Question

The vultures football team made the following gains on four plays :14 yards,-32 yards,3 yards,and -19 yards? What was the net change in the position of the vultures as a result of the four plays.

Answer 1

The sum of gains is

... (14 yd) + (-32 yd) + (3 yd) + (-19 yd)

... = (14 +3 -19 -32) yd . . . . . . it is often convenient to rearrange the numbers to facilitate mental arithmetic

... = (-2 -32) yd

... = -34 yd

The net change of position was -34 yards.