Adding integers word problems

Here are four great examples about adding integers word problems. Read the solution carefully, so you will know how to do similar problems.

Problem #1:

Maria saved 200 dollars and then she spent 150 dollars. How much money does Maria have now?

Solution

The problem has 3 important components shown in bold below.

Maria saved 200 dollars and then she spent 150 dollars. How much money does Maria have now?

Saved 200 can be represented by + 200
And is the + sign
Spent 150 can be represented by  -150

We get 200 + -150 and 200 + -150 = 50

Maria has 50 dollars left.

Problem #2:

A submarine at 21 feet below sea level suddenly moves up about 6 feet.  At what depth is the submarine located now?

Solution

The problem has 2 important components shown in bold below.

A submarine at 21 feet below sea level suddenly moves up about 6 feet.  At what depth is the submarine located now?

21 feet below sea level can be represented by - 21
We can use the + sign
Moves up about 6 feet can be represented by  +6

We get -21 + +6 and -21 + +6 = -15

The submarine is 15 feet below sea level.

Problem #3:

A football team gained 6 yards and then lost 10 yards. Where is the football team now?

Solution

The problem has 3 important components shown in bold below.

A football team gained 6 yards and then lost 10 yards. Where is the football team now?

Gained 6  can be represented by + 6
And is the + sign
Lost 10 can be represented by  -10

We get +6 + -10 and +6 + -10 = -4

Overall the football team has lost 4 yards.

Problem #4:

Steve had 140 dollars. He loaned 50 dollars to a friend, spent 31 dollars, and received his 80 dollars paycheck from work. How much money does he have now?

Solution

The problem has 4 important components shown in bold below.

Steve had 140 dollars. He loaned 50 dollars to a friend, spent 31 dollars, and received his 80 dollars paycheck from work. How much money does he have now?

Had 140 dollars can be represented with +140

Loaned 50 can be represented by  -50

Spent 31 can be represented by  -31

Received his 80 can be represented by +80

We get +140 + -50 + -31 + +80

+140 + -50 + -31 + +80  = (140 + -50) + -31 + +80 = 90 + -31 + +80 = (90 + -31) + +80 = 59 + +80 = 139

Steve has now 139 dollars.

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