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.

Try some practice problems!