Question

In a quiz, team A scored −40, 10, 0 and team B scored 10, 0, −40 in three successive rounds. Which team scored more? Can we say that we can add integers in any order?

Answer 1

Team A scored −40, 10, 0

Total score of team of A = − 40 + 10 + 0

= −30

Team B scored 10, 0, −40

Total score of team of B = 10 + 0 + (−40)

= −30

∴ The scores of both teams are equal.

Yes, integers can be added in any sequence. It was noted that the scores achieved by both teams in successive rounds were the same in number but varied in sequence. Nevertheless, the overall score for both teams was identical.