Skill: Solve multi-step addition and subtraction problems

When a problem has more than one step:

1. Identify what each number represents.
2. Decide which action happens first.
3. Write an equation for each step.
4. Line up decimal points when adding or subtracting.
5. Check that the answer is reasonable.

Example:
Maya has 125.75$in her savings account. She deposits$$48.60$and then withdraws$$72.58$. How much money is in her account now?

Step 1: Find the amount after the deposit.

The deposit increases the account, so add:

$$125.75+48.60$$

Line up the decimal points:

  125.75
+  48.60
---------
  174.35

Maya has 174.35$ after the deposit.

Step 2: Subtract the withdrawal.

The withdrawal decreases the account:

$$174.35-72.58$$

Subtract carefully, regrouping when needed:

  174.35
-  72.58
---------
  101.77

For example, regroup to subtract $8$ hundredths from $5$ hundredths, and regroup again to subtract $5$ tenths from $2$ tenths.

Answer:

$$\boxed{\$101.77}$$

Check the answer by estimating:

$$126+49-73\approx 102$$

Since 101.77$is close to$$102$, the answer is reasonable.