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

Answer 1

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

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#

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Answer 2

Ethan Adkins

Let the positive number be x and the two negative numbers be y and z.

Equation: x + y + z = -12

Example solution: x = 5, y = -8, z = -9

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.