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Mathematics · Grade 7

Add and Subtract Rational Numbers

Learners see that opposite quantities combine to make zero, add positive and negative integers, decimals and fractions as moves on a number line, and discover from patterns why subtracting a number is the same as adding its opposite. They finish by finding distances between rational numbers as the absolute value of their difference and by solving multi-step problems about temperatures, elevations and money.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 90 minutes
  • Adding and subtracting rational numbers check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, type a fraction, match pairs, type a number and place on a number line
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What learners will discover

  • Describe situations in which opposite quantities combine to make 0 and explain why a number and its opposite are additive inverses.
  • Add rational numbers using number-line moves and absolute value, and interpret sums in context.
  • Subtract rational numbers by adding the additive inverse, p − q = p + (−q), and interpret differences in context.
  • Find the distance between two rational numbers as the absolute value of their difference and solve real-world problems with rational addition and subtraction.

Lessons

  1. Opposites make zero 9 steps5 practiceabout 20 min
  2. Adding rational numbers on the number line 9 steps5 practiceabout 24 min
  3. Subtracting means adding the opposite 9 steps6 practiceabout 23 min
  4. Distance and real-world problems 9 steps6 practiceabout 23 min
  5. Adding and subtracting rational numbers check 10 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Number-Line HopHelp the frog hop to the right number — from counting to negative fractions.
  • Ratio KitchenScale recipes, fill ratio tables and find the better buy.
  • Coordinate CourierDrive the parcel van to the right address on the coordinate grid.

More 7th grade math

Guide for grown-ups