1. **State the problem:** Calculate $(-8) + 2$. 2. **Recall the rule for adding integers:** When adding a negative and a positive integer, subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value and take the sign of the number with the larger absolute value. 3. **Apply the rule:** - Absolute values: $|-8| = 8$, $|2| = 2$ - Subtract: $8 - 2 = 6$ - Since 8 is larger and corresponds to the negative number, the result is negative. 4. **Write the final answer:** $$(-8) + 2 = -6$$ So, the sum of $-8$ and $2$ is $-6$.