Question

Three negative numbers are added together. Which of the following statements is correct about the sum? 1-the sum will be positive 2-The sum will be negative 3-the sum could be either positive or negative 4-the sign of the sum cannot be determined

Answer 1

Answer: The sum will be negative

An example:

-1 + (-2) + (-3) = -6

Here's how we can visualize what's going on. Draw a vertical number line. Place yourself at -1. Adding on -2 means we move down 2 units. Think of an elevator going further into a parking garage basement. This would mean -1 + (-2) = -3 to show we're at the 3rd level basement. Adding another negative will just make us go further down.