MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING NEGATIVE NUMBERS WORD PROBLEMS

Problem 1 :

On a certain day, the temperature changed at a rate of -2°F per hour. How long did it take for the change in temperature to be -14°F?

Solution:

Number of hours for the temperature to reach from -2°F to -14°F

= (-14°F) ÷ (-2°F)

= 7 hours

Problem 2 :

The length of an island is changing at the rate of -17 inches per year. How long will it take for the change in the length of the island to be -255 inches?

Solution:

Rate of length changing per year = -17 inches

Time = (-255) ÷ (-17)

= 15 years

It will take 15 years.

Problem 3 :

The value of a piece of office equipment is changing at a rate of -$175 per year. How long will it take for the change in value to be -$1,050?

Solution:

Rate of change in value of piece of office = -175

Required number of years to become = -1050

Required time = (-1050) ÷ (-175)

= 6 years

Problem 4 :

The population of a small town is changing at a rate of -255 people per year. How long will it take for the change in population to be -2,040 people?

Solution:

Rate of change in value of piece of office = -175

Required time = (-2040) ÷ (-255)

= 8 years

Problem 5 :

The highest recorded temperature on Earth was recorded in Africa at 136°F, while the lowest was -129°F in Antarctica. What is the range of temperature recorded on Earth?

Solution:

= 136°F - (-129°F)

= 136°F + 129°F

= 265°F

Problem 6 :

If the overnight temperature at the Arctic Circle was -14°F, but the temperature rose to 8°F during the day, what was the difference between these high and low temperature?

Solution:

The difference between high and low temperature :

= 8°F - (-14°F)

= 8°F + 14°F

Difference = 22°F

Problem 7 :

The boiling point of water is 212°F, while -460°F is its absolute lowest temperature. Find the difference between these two temperature.

Solution:

The difference between two temperatures :

= 212°F - (-460°F)

= 212°F + 460°F

= 672°F

Problem 8 :

During the course of one day, the price of a stock fluctuated between a high of $3 above the previous day's closing price and a low of $2 below the previous day's closing price. What was the difference between the high and low prices for that day?

Solution:

High = $3 above previous day's closing price

Low =  $2 below previous day's closing price

High = P + $3

Low = P - $2

difference = High - Low

= (P + $3) - (P - $2)

d = $5

Problem 9 :

Use the table. The table shows the elevations of several places on Earth.

Find the difference in elevation between the top of Mt. McKinley and the top of Mt. Everest.

Solution:

Difference = top of Mt.Everest - top of Mt.Mckinley

= 29035 feet - 20320 feet

= 8715 feet

Problem 10 :

Find the difference in elevation between Death Valley and the Dead sea.

Solution :

Difference = Dead sea - Death Valley

= -1348 - (-282)

= -1348 + 282

= -1066 feet