What you’ll learn
Solve multi-step rational-number problems.
Key idea
Only the transaction repeats; a withdrawal subtracts its positive amount once.
Only equal transactions repeat; initial balance and withdrawal occur once, and a negative change must retain its sign.
Worked example
Enter the exact value or ordered values in the format requested below.
A balance starts at $-5. There are 2 transactions, each a signed change of $-1, then a $1 withdrawal. Enter final balance as an exact dollar number.
- The 2 signed transactions total 2×(-1)=-2 dollars.
- Include initial balance once and withdraw once: -5+(-2)-1=-8 dollars.
Answer: -8
Quick Check
Evaluate a worked attempt at solve multi-step rational-number problems, identify the first invalid step, and provide the correction.
Initial balance $-5, 2 signed transactions of $2, withdrawal $1. Step 1 models final as 2×(-5+(2))-1=-7. Locate the first invalid step and correct final balance.