What is the sum of the March and April prices? (15.50 and 17.36)

• A. 32.86
• B. 28.90
• C. 30.52
• D. 34.20

Answer: (A)

Adding decimals means lining up the decimal points and adding each place value carefully. For 15.50 and 17.36, align them as 15.50 plus 17.36. Add the cents first: 50 hundredths plus 36 hundredths gives 86 hundredths, so the decimals part is .86. Add the whole dollars: 15 dollars plus 17 dollars equals 32 dollars. Put it together and you get 32.86. This is the correct total because the decimal places were handled precisely and the place values were added correctly. If the decimal alignment or place values are treated incorrectly, you’d end up with a different total, as seen in other possible sums.