Certainly! Let's break down the expression [tex]\( 78 + (-6) - 5 \)[/tex] step-by-step to understand what it represents.
1. Initial Temperature:
- The meteorologist starts with an initial temperature of [tex]\( 78 \)[/tex] degrees Fahrenheit.
2. First Change in Temperature:
- The expression adds [tex]\( -6 \)[/tex], which indicates a drop in temperature by 6 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When the temperature decreases by 6 degrees from the initial temperature of 78 degrees, the new temperature becomes [tex]\( 78 + (-6) = 72 \)[/tex] degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Second Change in Temperature:
- Next, the expression subtracts [tex]\( 5 \)[/tex], indicating another decrease in temperature by 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- From the previously calculated temperature of 72 degrees, subtracting 5 more degrees results in [tex]\( 72 - 5 = 67 \)[/tex] degrees Fahrenheit.
So, the best statement to describe the expression [tex]\( 78 + (-6) - 5 \)[/tex] is:
The initial temperature was 78 degrees Fahrenheit. There was a decrease in temperature by 6 degrees, bringing it down to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a further decrease of 5 degrees, resulting in a final temperature of 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
