What is -3 plus 11? The Answer and Beyond
Chapter 1: The Basics of Arithmetic Operations
Before we dive into the specific question of -3 plus 11, it's important to review the basics of arithmetic operations. Arithmetic is the branch of mathematics dealing with the properties and relationships of numbers.
One of the most fundamental arithmetic operations is addition. Addition is the process of combining two or more numbers to get a total or sum. In algebra, we use the symbol "+" to represent addition.
Chapter 2: The Specific Case of -3 plus 11
Now, let's answer the question at hand: what is -3 plus 11? To solve this, we simply follow the rules of addition. We combine the two numbers, -3 and 11, by adding their absolute values and keeping the same sign as the original number with the greater absolute value.
In this case, the absolute value of -3 is 3, and the absolute value of 11 is 11. Since 11 has the greater absolute value, we keep its sign, which is positive. Therefore, -3 plus 11 equals 8.
Chapter 3: The Importance of Order of Operations
It's important to note that the order of operations matters in mathematics. The order of operations is a set of rules that dictates the order in which we perform arithmetic operations. The order of operations is often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS, which stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
However, in the case of -3 plus 11, the order of operations doesn't come into play because we're only performing one operation: addition. But it's still important to keep in mind for more complex mathematical expressions.
Chapter 4: The Applications of Arithmetic Operations
Arithmetic operations, including addition, are used in various fields such as science, engineering, finance, and economics. For example, in finance, addition is used to calculate the total cost of goods or services. In science, addition is used to combine quantities or measurements.
In conclusion, the answer to the question "what is -3 plus 11?" is 8. Arithmetic operations, including addition, are fundamental to mathematics and have various applications in different fields. It's important to follow the rules of arithmetic operations and the order of operations to ensure accurate results.