Answer
a) $\$161$ billion
b) $\$1,413$ billion
c) $\$1,574$ billion
Work Step by Step
a) Since the numbers in the given expression, $
2568+(-2729)
,$ are different, subtract the numbers and copy the sign of the number with the greater absolute value. That is,
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
2568+(-2729)
\\=
-(161)
\\=
-161
.\end{array}
Hence, the deficit is $
\$161$ billion.
b) The conditions of the problem translates to the expression
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
2105+(-3518)
.\end{array}
Since the numbers in the expression above are different, subtract the numbers and copy the sign of the number with the greater absolute value. That is,
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
2105+(-3518)
\\=
-(1413)
\\=
-1413
.\end{array}
Hence, the deficit is $
\$1,413$ billion.
c) Adding the deficits in parts (a) and (b) results to the expression, $
-161+(-1413)
.$
Since the numbers in the expression above have the same sign, then add the numbers and copy their common. That is,
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
-161+(-1413)
\\=
-(1574)
\\=
-1574
.\end{array}
Hence, the combined deficit is $
\$1,574$ billion.
