College

Find [tex]$13.1 - 20.2 + 9 - (-38.5)$[/tex].

A. [tex]$-40.4$[/tex]
B. 36.6
C. [tex]$-36.6$[/tex]
D. 40.4

Answer :

To solve the expression [tex]\( 13.1 - 20.2 + 9 - (-38.5) \)[/tex], we need to break it down step by step:

1. Identify and simplify the subtraction of a negative number:
- The expression [tex]\(-(-38.5)\)[/tex] is equivalent to adding [tex]\(38.5\)[/tex], because subtracting a negative is the same as addition.

2. Rewrite the expression with this simplification:
- The expression now becomes [tex]\( 13.1 - 20.2 + 9 + 38.5\)[/tex].

3. Perform the operations from left to right:

a. Subtract [tex]\(20.2\)[/tex] from [tex]\(13.1\)[/tex]:
- [tex]\(13.1 - 20.2 = -7.1\)[/tex]

b. Add [tex]\(9\)[/tex] to the result:
- [tex]\(-7.1 + 9 = 1.9\)[/tex]

c. Finally, add [tex]\(38.5\)[/tex] to the result:
- [tex]\(1.9 + 38.5 = 40.4\)[/tex]

Therefore, the final result of the expression is [tex]\(40.4\)[/tex].