Question

How do you simplify `-3+9-12`?

Answer 1

`-3+9-12=9-15=-6`

Explanation:

To simplify the equation you have to combine like terms. In this case they are all like terms: (`-3 and -12) and (9)`.
They are all numbers without variables.

Add `-3` and `-12` first because they are both negative.

You add the negative terms together to make `-15 and 9` is the only positive.

Therefore the simplified expression is (`9-15`).

You can then do the subtraction and end up with `-6`.

Answer 2

`-6`

Explanation:

If you want to apply BODMAS, PEDMAS etc, be careful no to fall into the mistake of thinking that the addition is `3+9`!!

TO avoid this type of error, re-arrange the expression with any additions at the beginning with the subtractions following:

`-3+9-12`

`=+9-3-12`

`=+9-15" "larr` add the negative terms together

`=-6`

Or working from left to right gives:

`6-12`

`=-6`