Question

Rita is adding 3 + (–8) + 1. She rewrites the expression as 3 + (–1) + 8. What is Rita’s error?

Answer 1

That the one is always positive

Answer 2

Wrong order lol.

3+(-8)+1 = 3-8+1 = -5+1= 4
3+(-1)+8 = 3-1+8 = 2+8 = 10

*cynical mode*
Rita's error is not doing simple math the way it is intended. There is no need to rewrite any simple expressions at all. Exactly like useless common core.