Numbers and operations · Ages 12–13

Comparing directed numbers worksheet

Part of: Directed numbers

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Numbers and operations · Ages 12–13

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Write each answer in the space. For word problems, show your working and write a sentence answer.

13.Four thermometers show the temperatures of four cities. What is the temperature of the coldest city?
- A. +6°C
- B. +5°C
- C. −6°C
- D. −1°C
Choose the right answer
Working:
Answer:
14.The thermometers show dawn on four days. By how many degrees do the highest and lowest differ?
- A. 5
- B. 4
- C. 13
- D. 14
Choose the right answer
Working:
Answer:
15.A vaccine must be kept above −26°C and below −7°C. The thermometer shows whole degrees only. How many readings are allowed?
Working:
Answer:
16.Here are the temperatures of a freezer, a fridge, a room and the street. Put them in order, coldest first.
- A. −5°C
- B. −19°C
- C. 1°C
- D. 18°C
Write the letters in the right order
Working:
Answer:
17.In golf, par is 0 and fewer strokes is better. A is −2, B is −7, C is 0 and D is +1. Who comes first?
- A. A
- B. D
- C. C
- D. B
Choose the right answer
Working:
Answer:
18.Cabinet A is at −5°C and cabinet B at −3°C. Cabinet A is colder than cabinet B.
True or false?
Working:
Answer:

Show the answers and working

Comparing directed numbers worksheet: Answers and working

1. C → B → A → D
Read the number line left to right: −5, −1, 0, 3. Among negatives, further from 0 is smaller.
2. 19
14 − 1 negative ones, 6 − 1 positive ones, and 0: 19 in all. Don't forget 0.
3. 5
3 − 1 negative ones, 3 − 1 positive ones, and 0: 5 in all. Don't forget 0.
4. 15
14 − 1 negative ones, 2 − 1 positive ones, and 0: 15 in all. Don't forget 0.
5. 21
11 − 1 negative ones, 11 − 1 positive ones, and 0: 21 in all. Don't forget 0.

6. B. −11
Further left on the number line is smaller. −11 is furthest left of 0, so it is the smallest.
7. False
Between negatives, nearer 0 is larger. Compare 7 and 4: the negative with the smaller size is the larger number.
8. False
Between negatives, nearer 0 is larger. Compare 28 and 27: the negative with the smaller size is the larger number.
9. True
Between negatives, nearer 0 is larger. Compare 4 and 25: the negative with the smaller size is the larger number.
10. False
Between negatives, nearer 0 is larger. Compare 22 and 5: the negative with the smaller size is the larger number.
11. B. −14 < −6
−14 is to the left of −6, so −14 < −6.
12. B. −0.2
As decimals: 34 = 3 ÷ 4 and 45 = 4 ÷ 5; then see which is nearest 0. Among negatives, nearer 0 is larger.

Marking: 2 for the working, 1 for the answer, 1 for the sentence.

13. C. −6°C
The lowest liquid is the coldest: its reading is below 0°C, furthest from 0.
14. C. 13
Difference = highest − lowest: 4 − (−9) = 13 degrees.
15. 18 readings
−26 and −7 are 26 − 7 apart. Neither end counts, so take off 1 more: 18.
16. B → A → C → D
Colder is smaller: −19 < −5 < 1 < 18.
17. D. B
Fewer is better, so find the smallest: of −2 and −7, the one further from 0.
18. True
The further below zero, the colder: compare 5 and 3.

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