Negative Numbers Across Zero · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Measuring the gap across zero

Mathematics · Number Representation & Place Value · ages 10-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. The temperature falls from 3 degrees C to -5 degrees C. How many degrees did it fall by? Give your answer as a decimal.

    Answer: ______________

  2. The temperature falls from 3°C to −5°C. What is the drop?

    • 2 degrees
    • 5 degrees
    • 8 degrees

  3. The gap between a balance of −£120 and £350 is found by working out 350 − 120.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. A thermometer shows −4°C in the morning and rises to 6°C by noon. What is the rise?

    • 10 degrees
    • 2 degrees
    • 6 degrees

  5. A bank balance goes from -120 pounds to 350 pounds. What is the difference between the two balances in pounds? Give your answer as a decimal.

    Answer: ______________

  6. A submarine is 30m below sea level and rises to 15m above sea level. How far did it rise?

    • 15m
    • 30m
    • 45m

  7. Order −7, −3, 0, 2, 5 on a number line. What is the interval from −7 to 5?

    -8-7-6-5-4-3-2-10123456interval of 12

    Answer: ______________

  8. Overnight the temperature falls from -2 degrees C to -9 degrees C. By how many degrees did it fall?

    • 7 degrees
    • 11 degrees
    • 5 degrees
    • 9 degrees

  9. Ben says the drop from 4°C to −6°C is 2 degrees, because he worked out 6 − 4. What is the actual drop?

    • 10 degrees
    • 2 degrees
    • 4 degrees

  10. A bank account goes from -45 pounds to 120 pounds. What is the total change in pounds?

    • 165 pounds
    • 75 pounds
    • 120 pounds
    • 155 pounds
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Measuring the gap across zero W1-mt_RVK655t391-s1

  1. 8 · From 3 down to 0 is 3 degrees and from 0 to -5 is 5 more, giving a drop of 8 degrees.
  2. 8 degrees · From 3°C to 0°C is 3 degrees. From 0°C to −5°C is another 5 degrees. 3 + 5 = 8.
  3. False · One value is below zero, so add the distances to zero instead: 120 + 350 = 470.
  4. 10 degrees · From −4°C to 0°C is 4 degrees. From 0°C to 6°C is 6 more. 4 + 6 = 10.
  5. 470 · It takes 120 to reach 0 from -120, plus 350 more, giving 470 pounds.
  6. 45m · From −30m to 0m is 30m. From 0m to 15m is 15 more. 30 + 15 = 45m.
  7. 12 · From −7 to 0 is 7. From 0 to 5 is 5 more. 7 + 5 = 12.
  8. 7 degrees · The gap between -2 and -9 is 7, so the temperature fell by 7 degrees.
  9. 10 degrees · Ben subtracted the wrong way. From 4°C to 0°C is 4, then 0°C to −6°C is 6 more: 4 + 6 = 10 degrees.
  10. 165 pounds · 45 pounds clears the overdraft and 120 more builds the credit, giving 165 pounds.
Worksheet · LightMySky