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Unit 05 · Rational Numbers and CoordinatesLesson

Day 061Signed Quantities and Zero

LearnClassworkAnswer keyPDF packet ↗
Standards 6.NS.C.5
LEARNING TARGET

I can use positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero in context.

01 · LEARN

Build the idea

Choose a reference point for zero. Opposite directions or values use opposite signs: above sea level is positive and below sea level is negative. Zero means at the chosen reference, not always nothing.

WORKED EXAMPLE 1

A marker is 35 m below sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means.

-35 m; 0 means at sea level

Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

WORKED EXAMPLE 2

A marker is 4 m below sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means. Write the elevation of the point equally far on the opposite side of sea level.

-4 m; 0 means at sea level; opposite +4 m

Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

02 · PRACTICE

Your turn

Work in order. Start with the foundations, then build toward explanation and application.

  1. A marker is 32 m above sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means.

  2. A marker is 16 m below sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means.

  3. A marker is 21 m above sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means.

  4. A marker is 20 m below sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means.

  5. A marker is 15 m above sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means.

  6. A marker is 25 m below sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means.

  7. A marker is 35 m above sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means. Write the elevation of the point equally far on the opposite side of sea level.

  8. A marker is 20 m below sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means. Write the elevation of the point equally far on the opposite side of sea level.

  9. A marker is 12 m above sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means. Write the elevation of the point equally far on the opposite side of sea level.

  10. A marker is 42 m below sea level. Write its signed elevation and explain what elevation 0 means. Write the elevation of the point equally far on the opposite side of sea level.

03 · CHECK

Answers and reasoning

Reveal the teacher answer key
  1. +32 m; 0 means at sea level

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

  2. -16 m; 0 means at sea level

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

  3. +21 m; 0 means at sea level

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

  4. -20 m; 0 means at sea level

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

  5. +15 m; 0 means at sea level

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

  6. -25 m; 0 means at sea level

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

  7. +35 m; 0 means at sea level; opposite -35 m

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

  8. -20 m; 0 means at sea level; opposite +20 m

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

  9. +12 m; 0 means at sea level; opposite -12 m

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

  10. -42 m; 0 means at sea level; opposite +42 m

    Sea level is the reference. Below is negative and above is positive.

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