Subtracting integers is a fundamental skill that can be applied in various real-world situations. Here are some common examples where you might encounter integer subtraction:
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Financial Transactions:
- Imagine you have $50 in your bank account. If you spend $20, you would subtract that amount to find your new balance: \(50 - 20 = 30\).
- Conversely, if you had a debt of $30, it's like having \(-30\). If you pay back that amount, your balance changes: \(50 - (-30) = 50 + 30 = 80\).
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Temperature Changes:
- If today's temperature is 23 degrees Celsius, and it drops by 5 degrees, you can calculate the new temperature like this: \(23 - 5 = 18\).
- If the temperature was at -2 degrees and it rises by 3 degrees, the calculation would be: \(-2 - (-3) = -2 + 3 = 1\).
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Elevation Changes:
- If you are at an elevation of 150 meters above sea level, and you descend 50 meters, you can find your new elevation by subtracting: \(150 - 50 = 100\) meters.
- If you start at -30 meters (below sea level) and rise 10 meters, you would calculate: \(-30 - (-10) = -30 + 10 = -20\) meters.
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Scoring in Games:
- In a game, if you have 80 points and lose 15 points for a penalty, you would find your new score as \(80 - 15 = 65\).
- If you are at a score of -10 points (perhaps due to penalties) and you gain 5 points, it would be \(-10 - (-5) = -10 + 5 = -5\).
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Inventory Management:
- Imagine a store has 200 items in stock. If 45 items are sold, the new inventory would be calculated as \(200 - 45 = 155\).
- If the inventory starts at -10 (indicating backorders), and 20 items come in, the calculation would be: \(-10 - (-20) = -10 + 20 = 10\).
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Time Calculation:
- If a movie starts at 7:30 PM and is 2 hours long, it ends at \(7:30 + 2:00 = 9:30\). Conversely, if it is rescheduled and the new start time is 9:00 PM, you could subtract to find out how late it starts: \(9:00 - 7:30 = 1:30\).
These examples illustrate how subtracting integers is a valuable skill across various contexts in everyday life. Each scenario involves determining how a quantity changes by subtracting one integer from another, helping you make informed decisions and understand situations better.