Understanding Arithmetic: Breaking Down a Complex Expression

You ever find yourself staring at a complex math problem, thinking, "Where do I even begin?" Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Let’s tackle this together, especially since mastering arithmetic is crucial for the NCTI Installer Technician role. Today, we’re going to unpack a seemingly complicated expression:
(20 / -4) + (-2 x -10) - (-2 x 7).

Wrangling the Numbers

Alright, let’s jump in. The first step is evaluating what’s inside those parentheses—those little groups of numbers can really pack a punch! We start with 20 / -4. What do we get here?
20 divided by -4 equals -5. Don’t let the negative scare you—it's just a number just like any other.

Next, on to our multiplication section. Here’s the first multiplication:
-2 x -10. When we multiply two negative numbers, guess what? We get a positive! So, -2 times -10 equals 20. Now, isn’t that a pleasant surprise?

Navigating Negatives

Now let’s handle the second multiplication: -2 x 7. This one is straightforward; negative times positive gives us negative. Thus, -2 times 7 equals -14. Remember this fact: when you’re dealing with negative numbers, they can be tricky but oh-so-important to understand.

Combining Our Findings

Now that we have our components, let’s piece everything together. Here’s what we have so far:
-5 + 20 - (-14). This is where it gets a little more interesting!
When you subtract a negative, it’s like adding a positive, which can really throw someone for a loop. So we actually have:
-5 + 20 + 14.

Time to do some addition! First, -5 plus 20 gives us 15. Then, adding 14 into the mix, we get:
15 + 14 = 29.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Arithmetic

So what’s our answer? 29, which is the correct choice in our complex arithmetic puzzle. At a glance, it might feel overwhelming, but if you break things down into manageable chunks, it becomes a lot easier to grasp!

Understanding the way signs and operations interact helps tremendously, especially for aspiring Installer Technicians. This skill isn’t just about getting the right answers—it’s about comprehending how math works in practical applications.

And remember, if you ever feel bogged down by numbers, just think of them as puzzle pieces. Sometimes it just takes a little time and patience to get them to fit together just right!