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.