Math homework help

[Narwalalpaca12$]

Need help and an explanation on this problem

 

[Steven G]

Look at this equation: 7-10=-3. Note that it can be written as 7+3=10
So rewrite 5._4 - _.8_ = -3.61 as 5._4 + 3.61 = _.8_.

Now it should be obvious what the right _ in _.8_ is.

Please show us your work.

 

[Dr.Peterson]

You need to fill in the missing digits. It may help to first rearrange the equation, either as

_.8_ - 5._4 = 3.61 (the way you would normally do the subtraction, since column subtraction can only give a positive result)​

or as

5._4 = _.8_ - 3.61 (so that the result of the subtraction is on the left)​

or even as an addition of positive numbers [edit: as Jomo did!]. And you may want to arrange it in a column:

_.8_​

5.4_​

----​

3.61​

Start at the rightmost digit; what must the blank be? Then move to the left. (In general, you might find you need to make an adjustment, but this is a simple problem of its type.)

 

[Narwalalpaca12$]

So is this correct?

 

[Dr.Peterson]

Yes, you've even shown the check that demonstrates that it is!

 

[Narwalalpaca12$]

Thank you!

 

[ksdhart2]

Hmm... I read the problem as though the "5." at the start was saying this is problem number 5. If that is actually the case, then the same method applies, but the exact answer will be different.