Solve Problems Involving Negative Numbers

When answering negative number problems, we first need to decide whether we need to add or subtract.

 

Example:

 

Question

Sandra has £30 in her bank account.

She spends £45 on a new cricket set.

How much does she have now?

 

Answer

Sandra spends money, which means we need to subtract.

£30 - £45 = -£15 meaning that she has spent more than she has in her bank account!

 

 

Question

The temperature in London at 3 am was -3°C.

 

 

At midday the next day, it had risen by 8°C.

What is the temperature at midday the next day?

 

Answer

This time, the temperature has risen, which means we need to add.

-3°C + 8°C = 5°C

 

Let's have a go at some questions now.