To determine the total number of items borrowed across categories, which operation should you perform?

To determine the total number of items borrowed across categories, which operation should you perform?

• A. Subtract the numbers in each category to obtain the total.
• B. Multiply the numbers in each category to obtain the total.
• C. Divide the numbers in each category to obtain the total.
• D. Add the numbers in each category to obtain the total.

Answer: (D)

When you want the total number of items borrowed across categories, you add the counts from each category. Each category contributes part of the whole, so putting those parts together gives the full total. For example, if 12 items are borrowed in one category, 7 in another, and 5 in a third, the total is 12 + 7 + 5 = 24. Subtracting would give a difference, multiplying would scale a quantity, and dividing would split it into parts, none of which yield the overall sum.

When you want the total number of items borrowed across categories, you add the counts from each category. Each category contributes part of the whole, so putting those parts together gives the full total. For example, if 12 items are borrowed in one category, 7 in another, and 5 in a third, the total is 12 + 7 + 5 = 24. Subtracting would give a difference, multiplying would scale a quantity, and dividing would split it into parts, none of which yield the overall sum.