To solve this problem, let's carefully analyze the given expression and interpret what it represents.
The expression given is:
[tex]\[
-5 + (-4)
\][/tex]
1. Identifying the Initial Temperature:
- The expression starts with [tex]\(-5\)[/tex], indicating the initial temperature is [tex]\(-5\)[/tex] degrees.
2. Interpreting the Change in Temperature:
- The next part of the expression is [tex]\(( -4 )\)[/tex]. A negative number here implies a decrease in temperature. Hence, [tex]\(( -4 )\)[/tex] means that the temperature decreased by 4 degrees.
3. Calculating the Final Temperature:
- Combining the change with the initial temperature, we get:
[tex]\[
-5 + (-4) = -5 - 4 = -9
\][/tex]
- Therefore, the final temperature is [tex]\(-9\)[/tex] degrees.
4. Choosing the Correct Statement:
- Now, let's look at the potential statements provided:
- The temperature was [tex]\(-5\)[/tex] degrees, then it increased 4 degrees.
- The temperature was [tex]\(-5\)[/tex] degrees, then it decreased 4 degrees.
- The temperature was 5 degrees, then it increased 4 degrees.
- The temperature was 5 degrees, then it decreased 4 degrees.
Since we started with [tex]\(-5\)[/tex] degrees and decreased by 4 degrees, the correct statement is:
- The temperature was [tex]\(-5\)[/tex] degrees, then it decreased 4 degrees.
Thus, the appropriate statement to describe the temperature change is:
[tex]\[
\text{The temperature was -5 degrees, then it decreased 4 degrees.}
\][/tex]
