1. a football team gains 2 yards on the first play,
loses 5 yards on the second play, loses 3 yards
on the third play, and gains 4 yards on the fourth
play. what is the team's overall gain or loss for
all four plays?
a. a gain of 14 yards
c. a loss of 2 yards
b. a gain of 2 yards
d. a loss of 14 yards

Option C

The football team had a overall loss of 2 yards

Solution:

When the team gains yards we use a positive value, and when the team loses yards we use a negative value.

Given that, football team gains 2 yards on the first play

First play = +2

Given that football team loses 5 yards on the second play

Second play = -5

Given that football team loses 3 yards  on the third play

Third play = -3

Given that football team gains 4 yards on the fourth play

Fourth play = +4

Put the yards from four plays together, we get

⇒ 2 -5 -3 + 4

Let us simplify

⇒ -3 -3 + 4 = -6 + 4 = -2

So, -2 represents loss of two yards (since negative value indicates loss)