Subtract positive and negative whole numbers

Answer Key - Grade 7 Math Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.

1. 1.

   Esme writes a three-number puzzle on the whiteboard. What is (-12) - 7 - (-9)?

   -10
2. 2.

   Kira finds a double-subtraction puzzle in the math book. What is (-30) - (-18) - (-25)?

   13
3. 3.

   Milo's quiz team has 24 points. The judge removes a bonus worth 31 points, then removes a penalty worth -14 points. What is the team's score now?

   7
4. 4.

   Noah fills in a balance puzzle: 6 - ? = (-5). What is the missing number?

   11
5. 5.

   Ren fills in a balance puzzle: (-7) - ? = 2. What is the missing number?

   -9
6. 6.

   Zee's robot rolls from -12 to 7 on its first trip, then from 4 to 15 on its second. How many more spaces does the first trip cover than the second?

   8
7. 7.

   Ari bikes from -10 to 4 on Monday and from -3 to 6 on Tuesday (in blocks, east is positive). How many more blocks was Monday's ride?

   5
8. 8.

   Bo's boat sails from 2 to 18 on a number line river, then from -11 to -4 on the way back. How many more spaces is the first trip?

   9
9. 9.

   Esme's turtle swims from -15 to 8 before lunch and from 5 to 21 after lunch (in meters, up is positive). How many more meters was the first swim?

   7
10. 10.

    Milo watches a whale at -10 m, then at -3 m. Later minus earlier gives (-3) - (-10) = 7. What does the 7 tell us?

    • The whale swam down 7 m.
    • The whale swam up 7 m.
    • The whale did not move.
    • The whale is 7 m above the surface.