The high temperature one day in city A was 79 ∘ . That same day, the high in city B was only − 6 ∘ . What was the diference in temperature in city A compared to city B?

Answer 1

Difference means subtract the two. 79 - -6 = ?

When there are two negatives (negative and a subtraction sign are really the same thing) in a row, turn them both to positive. For instance, "I'm never not going to the store." means you ARE going to the store.

So 79 - -6 = 79 + 6 = 85

There is an 85° temperature difference between the cities.

Answer 2

A way to solving story problems is understanding the key words:

Example:

Addition = greater than, more than, plus, add

Subtraction = lesser than, difference, minus, take away

Multiplication = Twice than, multiply

Division = half, divide

Product = The result of multiplying two numbers

Quotient = The result of dividing two numbers

This story problem is also uses a negative number. The sign of the larger number will be the sign in the answer. So...

-6 + 79 = 73

79 - 6 = 73