how can you subtract integers in real world problems

3 answers

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:

  1. 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: \(50 - (-30) = 50 + 30 = 80\).
  2. 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: \(-2 - (-3) = -2 + 3 = 1\).
  3. 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.
  4. 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 \(-10 - (-5) = -10 + 5 = -5\).
  5. 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: \(-10 - (-20) = -10 + 20 = 10\).
  6. 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.

put it into one answer

Subtracting integers is useful in various real-world situations, including:

  1. Financial Transactions: If you have $50 and spend $20, your new balance is \(50 - 20 = 30\). If you have a debt of $30 and pay it back, your balance changes to \(50 - (-30) = 80\).

  2. Temperature Changes: If it's 23 degrees Celsius and it drops by 5 degrees, the new temperature is \(23 - 5 = 18\). If it starts at -2 degrees and rises by 3 degrees, it calculates as \(-2 - (-3) = 1\).

  3. Elevation Changes: Starting at 150 meters above sea level and descending 50 meters results in a new elevation of \(150 - 50 = 100\) meters. If you start at -30 meters (below sea level) and rise 10 meters, the elevation is \(-30 - (-10) = -20\) meters.

  4. Scoring in Games: You have 80 points and lose 15 for a penalty, so your score becomes \(80 - 15 = 65\). Starting at -10 due to penalties and gaining 5 points would mean a score of \(-10 - (-5) = -5\).

  5. Inventory Management: A store with 200 items in stock that sells 45 has \(200 - 45 = 155\) left. If starting at -10 (backorders) and receiving 20 items, the inventory changes to \(-10 - (-20) = 10\).

  6. Time Calculation: A movie starts at 7:30 PM and runs for 2 hours, ending at \(9:30\). If rescheduled to start at 9:00 PM, the delay can be calculated as \(9:00 - 7:30 = 1:30\).

In each case, subtracting integers helps manage changes and make informed decisions in everyday life.