Now, how did you get to ( − 3)? The rule is to add the absolute values of the two numbers and attach the common sign to the sum. The problem here was to add ( − 5) and ( − 8). The absolute values are 5 and 8, the sum of the absolute values is 13, and the common sign, that is, the sign appearing on both of the numbers to be added, is -. Now return to Page 102 and try again.