Subtract positive and negative whole numbers

Answer Key - Grade 7 Math Worksheet - Building Confidence

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

1. 1.

   Ari's robot starts at 3 on a number line, beeping happily. Subtracting (-4) is the same as adding 4, a move of 4 right. Where does the robot stop?

   7
2. 2.

   Esme's snail starts at 6 on a number line. Subtracting 4 is the same as adding (-4), a move of 4 left. Where does the snail stop?

   2
3. 3.

   Milo rewrites a subtraction as an addition. The card says 5 - (-3) = 5 + ?. What number goes in place of the ?

   3
4. 4.

   Ren's robot sits at -3 on a number line. Its charging spot is at 5. How far is the robot from the charging spot?

   8
5. 5.

   Tala watches two snails on a number line, at 2 and 9. How far apart are the snails?

   7
6. 6.

   A number line with 0 marked, a tick at each whole number, and dots at -7 and -2. Zee's turtle rests at -7 on a number line, and a rock sits at -2. How far is the turtle from the rock?

   5
7. 7.

   Ari spots a whale at -4 m and a bird at 6 m. (Above the water is positive.) How far apart are they?

   10
9. 8.

   Bo draws a puzzle card from the math club jar. What is (-5) - (-8)?

   3
10. 9.

    Esme writes a puzzle on the whiteboard, then caps the marker with a flourish. What is 6 - (-3)?

    Use the picture in question 8.

    9
11. 10.

    Jun finds a puzzle at the back of the math book. What is (-4) - 7?

    Use the picture in question 8.

    -11