Add Negative Numbers 608419

1. **State the problem:** Calculate the sum of $-7$ and $-5$. 2. **Recall the rule for adding negative numbers:** When adding two negative numbers, add their absolute values and keep the negative sign. 3. **Calculate the absolute values:** $|-7| = 7$ and $|-5| = 5$. 4. **Add the absolute values:** $7 + 5 = 12$. 5. **Apply the negative sign:** Since both numbers are negative, the result is $-12$. **Final answer:** $-7 + (-5) = -12$