Positive and negative number word problems
The question
What is the difference between the two elevation readings, in meters?
A hiker was at −19 meters at the trailhead and −14 meters by the second marker.
−14 − (−19)
−14 − (−19) = 5 meters
- Read it through. This asks for the gap between two readings, and a gap is never negative.
- Write it as a subtraction, and keep the brackets: −14 − (−19). Taking away a negative moves you up the scale.
- That comes to 5 meters. Check the sign makes sense in the story.
How it works.
- 01
Read it through. This asks for the gap between two readings, and a gap is never negative.
- 02
Write it as a subtraction, and keep the brackets: −14 − (−19). Taking away a negative moves you up the scale.
- 03
That comes to 5 meters. Check the sign makes sense in the story.