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.

   Jun's toy turtle starts at -3 on a number line. Subtracting 6 is the same as adding (-6), a move of 6 left. Where does the turtle stop?

   -9
4. 4.

   Kira's toy boat floats at 5 on a number line river. Subtracting (-7) is the same as adding 7, a move of 7 right. Where does the boat stop?

   12
6. 5.

   Luz flips a puzzle card over. The card says 7 - 4 = 7 + ?. What number goes in place of the ?

   -4
7. 6.

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

   Use the picture in question 5.

   3
8. 7.

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

   7
9. 8.

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

   10
11. 9.

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

    3
12. 10.

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

    Use the picture in question 9.

    9