Word Problems
Adding Rational Numbers
Subtracting Rational Numbers
Multiplying Rational Numbers
Dividing Rational Numbers
100

A fishing pole is held 8 ½ feet above sea level while a fish swims 4 ½ below sea level.  What is the distance between the top of the fishing pole and the fish?

8 1/2 + 4 1/2 

13 feet

100

-3.15 + (-2.25)

-5.40

100

-8/11 - 3/11

-1
100

-5(-1/3)

1 and 2/3

100

-1/4 divided by 3/8

-2/3

200

A shark began at 172.5 meters below sea level and then swam up 137.1 meters.  Where is the shark’s location now in relation to sea level?

-172.5 + 137.1

35.4 meters below sea level

200
0.38 + (-1.2)
-0.82
200
- 4/13 - 8/13
-12/13
200
-3.2 x 5
-16
200
-20 divided by 0.5
-40
300

Ethan has $20 in his checking account.  He writes a check for $32.45 to buy a new hat.  What is the new balance of Ethan’s checking account?

20 + (-32.45)

-$12.45

300

3/5 + (-17/25)

-2/25

300
-0.06 - (-0.86)
0.8
300
-1/6 (-2/3)
1/9
300
-15 divided by -5/8
24
400

One bag of potting soil contains 8 ¼ quarts of soil.  If Joe buys 4 bags, how much soil will he have?

8 1/4 x 4

33/4 x 4/1

33 quarts


400

-5/4 + 1/12

-1 1/6

400
-5/12 - (-2/24)
-1/3
400
-2.57 (-.5)
1.285
400
Emma bought 2 and 1/2 yards of ribbon to make bows for 4 of her friends. How much yard will she use for each ribbon?
5/8 yards
500

One bag of potting soil contains 8 ¼ quarts of soil.  How many clay pots can be filled from one bag of potting soil if each pot holds ¾ quart?

8 1/4 / 3/4

33/4 x 4/3 

11 pots

500
To make a small amount of play dough, you can mix 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of water. What is the total amount of ingredients added to make the play dough?
2 cups
500
The snowfall in Rochester, NY in the winter of 1999-2000 was 91.5 inches. Normal snowfall is about 76 inches per winter. How much more snow fell in the winter of 1999-2000 than is normal?
15.5 inches
500
Joe had a breakfast party. He invited four of his best friends. Each friend brought 3.4 cups of coffee. How much coffee did they all bring together?
13.6 cups
500
List all the properties for adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying positives and negatives?
-Add: Same sign? Yes: Add, keep sign OR No: Subtract, sign of biggest number. -Subtract: Keep, change, opposite and use addition rules -Multiply/Divide: Same sign: Answer is positive Different sign: Answer is negative
M
e
n
u