Understanding integers
Key Notes:
Understanding Integers through Real-Life Scenarios
Scenario 1: Financial Transactions
Situation: Sarah has a bank account. She deposits 200 /- and then withdraws 50 /-.
Explanation:
- Deposit: +200/- (positive integer represents a gain)
- Withdrawal: -50/- (negative integer represents a loss)
- Net Amount: 200+(−50)=150
Result: Sarah has 150/- in her bank account.
Scenario 2: Temperature Changes
Situation: The temperature in a city changes from 5°C to -3°C overnight.
Explanation:
- Initial Temperature: +5°C
- Final Temperature: -3°C
- Change in Temperature: −3−5=−8
Result: The temperature dropped by 8°C.
Scenario 3: Elevation Above and Below Sea Level
Situation: A submarine dives 200 meters below sea level, then rises 150 meters.
Explanation:
- Initial Position: 0 meters (sea level)
- Dive: -200 meters
- Rise: +150 meters
- Final Position: −200+150 = −50
Result: The submarine is 50 meters below sea level.
Scenario 4: Business Profits and Losses
Situation: A business makes a profit of $1,000 in January but incurs a loss of $600 in February.
Explanation:
- January Profit: +1,000/-
- February Loss: -600 /-
- Net Profit/Loss: 1000+(−600)=400
Result: The business has a net profit of 400/- over the two months.
Scenario 5: Points in a Game
Situation: In a game, a player scores +10 points in the first round and loses 15 points in the second round.
Explanation:
- First Round: +10 points
- Second Round: -15 points
- Total Points: 10+(−15)=−5
Result: The player has a total of -5 points after two rounds.
Scenario 6: Balancing a Checkbook
Situation: John writes a check for $75 and later deposits $100 into his account.
Explanation:
- Initial Balance: $0
- Check Written: -$75
- Deposit: +$100
- Final Balance: −75+100=25
Result: John’s account balance is $25.
Scenario 7: Stock Market
Situation: A stock’s price increases by $5 on Monday and decreases by $8 on Tuesday.
Explanation:
- Monday Increase: +$5
- Tuesday Decrease: -$8
- Net Change: 5+(−8)=−3
Result: The stock’s price has a net decrease of $3.
Scenario 8: Tracking Weight Loss and Gain
Situation: Alex gains 3 kg over the holidays and loses 5 kg after exercising.
Explanation:
- Weight Gain: +3 kg
- Weight Loss: -5 kg
- Net Weight Change: 3+(−5)=−2
Result: Alex has a net weight loss of 2 kg.
Scenario 9: Balancing an Equation
Situation: To balance the equation x+5=2x + 5 = 2x+5=2, solve for xxx.
Explanation:
- Subtract 5 from both sides: x+5−5=2−5
- Simplify: x=−3
Result: xxx equals -3, indicating a value that makes the equation true.
Scenario 10: Travel Distance
Situation: A car travels 100 km north (positive direction) and then 150 km south (negative direction).
Explanation:
- Northward Travel: +100 km
- Southward Travel: -150 km
- Net Distance: 100+(−150)=−50
Result: The car is 50 km south of its starting point.
Key Takeaways:
- Positive integers represent gains, increases, or movements in a positive direction.
- Negative integers represent losses, decreases, or movements in a negative direction.
- Understanding how to add, subtract, and interpret positive and negative integers helps in various real-life scenarios, from financial planning to tracking physical changes.
Learn with an example
➡️ Which integer represents this scenario?
5 more centimetres of rain this year
-5 5
- Read the scenario:
- 5 more centimetres of rain this year
This scenario involves a gain or an increase. Use a positive integer to represent this scenario. - The integer 5 represents this scenario.
➡️ Which integer represents this scenario?
adding 6 stuffed animals to a collection
-6 6
- Read the scenario:
- adding 6 stuffed animals to a collection
This scenario involves a gain or an increase. Use a positive integer to represent this scenario. - The integer 6 represents this scenario.
➡️ Which integer represents this scenario?
9 degrees below zero
-9 9
- Read the scenario:
- 9 degrees below zero
This scenario involves a loss or a decrease. Use a negative integer to represent this scenario. - The integer -9 represents this scenario.