How can u subtract integers in real world situations

Answer 1

Subtracting integers plays a vital role in various real-world situations. Here are several examples where you can apply subtraction of integers:

1. Financial Transactions: When managing a budget, subtracting integers helps track expenses. For instance, if you have $500 in your account and spend $150, you subtract 150 from 500, leaving you with $350. Similarly, if an unexpected charge of -$200 (a refund) occurs, you would add that back into your balance.

2. Temperature Changes: In meteorology, temperature changes can be represented by integers. For example, if the temperature is currently 10°C and it drops to -5°C, you can think of it as subtracting -5 from 10:
   \(10 - (-5) = 15\), meaning the temperature change is 15 degrees.

3. Elevation: When talking about altitude, you might need to subtract integers. If you are hiking at an elevation of 1,000 meters and you descend to an elevation of -200 meters (below sea level), you calculate this as follows:
   \(1000 - (-200) = 1200\). Thus, you have descended 1,200 meters.

4. Sports Scores: In games or competitions, subtracting scores can be crucial. For example, if Team A has a score of 75 and Team B has a score of 58, you calculate the point difference with subtraction:
   \(75 - 58 = 17\). Team A is winning by 17 points.

5. Time Management: When scheduling, you might need to subtract time durations. Suppose a meeting is planned for 2 hours starting at 3 PM. To find the end time, you calculate:
   \(3 PM + 2 hours = 5 PM\). By subtracting the original meeting time from a later time (like calculating how many hours until the meeting ends if you started at a later time), you get the remaining time.

6. Inventory Management: If a store starts with a certain number of items and some are sold, subtracting the number of items sold from the original inventory helps maintain accurate stock levels. For example, if there are 150 items and 30 are sold, the remaining stock is:
   \(150 - 30 = 120\) items.

7. Weight Measurements: If someone starts with a weight and loses a specified amount, subtracting the weight loss from the initial weight tells you the new weight. If you weigh 200 pounds and lose 15 pounds, you can calculate:
   \(200 - 15 = 185\) pounds.

By recognizing these scenarios, you can see how subtracting integers is integral to day-to-day problem-solving and decision-making.