Real-Life Subtraction: Understanding Negative Numbers

A submarine is at a depth of 300 meters below sea level. If it rises 125 meters, what is its new depth?

• 200 meters below sea level

• 175 meters below sea level

• 300 meters below sea level

• 125 meters below sea level

A temperature dropped from 5 degrees to -3 degrees. How many degrees did it drop?

• 8 degrees

• 10 degrees

• 6 degrees

• 4 degrees

A bank account has a balance of -$50. If $20 is deposited, what is the new balance?

• $20

• -$50

• -$30

• $0

A mountain climber is at an elevation of 1,200 feet. If he descends 450 feet, what is his new elevation?

• 1,150 feet

• 1,000 feet

• 900 feet

• 750 feet

A football team lost 7 yards on one play and then gained 3 yards on the next. What is their total yardage change?

• -10 yards

• -4 yards

• 0 yards

• -3 yards

A diver is 20 feet below sea level. If he ascends 15 feet, how far below sea level is he now?

• 5 feet below sea level

• 15 feet below sea level

• 10 feet below sea level

• 0 feet below sea level

A roller coaster starts at a height of 150 feet and drops 80 feet. What is the new height of the roller coaster?

• 50 feet

• 70 feet

• 60 feet

• 100 feet

A person has a debt of $200. If they pay off $75, what is their remaining debt?

• $100

• $125

• $175

• $150

A plant is 10 inches tall and then loses 4 inches due to pruning. What is its new height?

• 8 inches

• 5 inches

• 6 inches

• 12 inches

A car's fuel gauge shows -2 gallons after using 5 gallons. How much fuel was in the tank before using it?

• 10 gallons

• 7 gallons

• 3 gallons

• 5 gallons