Sheri wrote the following entries in her checkbook this week:-13.52, -15.88,500,2516. What is the average amount of check written.

Four checks?

13.52
15.88
500
2516

I don't see this as a subtraction problem. Do you?

I don't see this as a subtraction problem. Do you?

If you look at it this way: 2 checks + 2 deposits, then the checks are subtracted. Is that what you were thinking?

Average check would then involve only -13.52 and -15.88.

I'm seeing addition and division. If only two check were actually written you don't need the deposit amounts to figure out the average of the checks written. Add the checks together then divide by the number of checks.

I'm seeing addition and division. If only two check were actually written you don't need the deposit amounts to figure out the average of the checks written. Add the checks together then divide by the number of checks.
Unless the student is supposed to figure out that the deposits are extraneous information. Math books love to do that!

Word problems are notorious for that!