If the sum of a positive number and two negative numbers is #-12# what are the numbers?

1 Answer
Aug 24, 2017

One possible solution would be #{-6,-7,+1}#

Explanation:

There are infinitely many possible solutions.

Pick any two negative numbers whose sum is less than #(-12)#. [That is the absolute value of their sum must be greater that #12#].

Subtract their sum from #(-12)# to get the required positive number.

Here is another example;
if we pick #-237# and #-106# their sum is #-343# (which is less that #-12#)
Subtract this from #-12# to get the required positive number:
#color(white)("XXX")-12-(-343)=-12+343=331#

#(-237)+(-106)+(+331)=-12#