29. Given the following set of numbers: 10, 2.5, -4, -4.5, 5. What is the sum of these numbers?
Answer: B
The sum of the given set of numbers is 9.
To find the sum of the numbers 10, 2.5, -4, -4.5, and 5, we add them together, which results in a total of 9.
A) 17.5
Option A is incorrect because the sum of the numbers far exceeds this value. Adding the positive numbers together (10 + 2.5 + 5) gives 17.5, but when subtracting the negative numbers (-4 and -4.5), the total decreases significantly, leading to a sum much lower than 17.5.
B) 9
Option B is correct as it accurately reflects the sum of the numbers: 10 + 2.5 - 4 - 4.5 + 5 equals 9 when calculated step by step. This is the precise total when all values are considered.
C) 15
Option C is incorrect because it does not account for the negative values correctly. Although adding the positive numbers gives a high value, the negative numbers reduce the total significantly, making 15 an inaccurate result.
D) -8.5
Option D is also incorrect as it suggests a total that is not achievable with the given set of numbers. The positive numbers outweigh the negative ones, making a sum of -8.5 impossible.
Conclusion
The correct answer is 9, as it reflects the proper calculation of the sum of the provided numbers. All other options fail because they either overestimate or underestimate the total based on the inclusion of both positive and negative values in the set.