One of the skills you will need is to be able to read a problem and figure out whether the numbers in them represent a negative or a positive because it is not always written as a signed number. Read through the problems below and see if you can come up with an integer expression that can be used to find the solution. Then click on the row to see if you are right.
| Word Problem | Integer Expression |
| I owe my friend $3, and my mom owes me $5. How much money will I have after all is settled? | (-3) + (5) = 2 You will have $2. |
| Mt. Hwajangsan in South Korea is 935 feet above sea level. Death Valley in the U.S. is 279 ft below sea level. What's the difference in elevation? | (935) - (-279) = 1214 The difference is 1214 feet. |
| The temperature was 7° below zero and it dropped another 5 degrees during the night. What is the new temperature? | (-7) - (5) = -12 It is 12° below zero. |
| Rome was established in 33 B.C.E. and fell in 476 C.E. How long did the Roman Empire last? | (+476) - (-33) = 509 The Roman Empire lasted 509 years. |
Remember when you are solving problems, always think about whether or not your answer makes sense. You can always draw a picture if that will help you solve the problem.
