I am embarrassed..Need help with 3rd grade math problem

[mum4jenn]

I THINK I know this and I should but I wanted to ask on here to be sure!!! LOL!!

MY dd is working on adding and subtracting positive and negative problems and one has me kind of unsure of the answer.

They have to show on a line how they came up with the answer. You know...with a curved line going from one number to the other number and therefore showing the answer!!


The problem is: 5+ -2= (Five plus negative two)

-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8



Can anyone help me? I am sure this is so easy I will be be even more embarrassed but I just want to be sure!!

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

 

[meandtheguys2]

The answer is 3.

Don't you just love relearning...?!

 

[buzzlady]

3

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Yes, the answer is 3. As for showing her work, she would start drawing the line at 5 and "bounce" back to 4 and then to 3. Did that make sense, lol?

 

[mum4jenn]

THANKS...that is the answer I came up with but how do we show it on the line? I know one goes from the 0 to the 5 but I am unsure of how the other part goes so that the answer will be shown!

 

[mum4jenn]

OK!!!THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!


WHew!!! We posted at the same time so I missed that other answer

 

[Scutapipig]

Yup! I came up with 3, too!

I really don't like helping my daughter with her homework. She's in the 4th grade and they are using Saxon math. It's all backwards from the way I learned and by the time I'm done "helping", we're both confused.

Whatever happened to 1+1=2?!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

When I helped with a math class we always did the +s on top of the line and the -s on the bottom

 

[mum4jenn]

YEP!!! Saxon is what they do also!!! Even the terminology is so different it makes it really hard to try to even help because I always hear...."But that is NOT the words we use"!!

In fact a note from the teacher said they are finished with 3rd grade math almost and will be starting on 4th grade math next week. UGH!!!!!

 

[lyzziesmom]

What the heck is Saxon math? I thought math was math... you can't really fool around with the numbers. I mean, you can't make two plus two equal five, can you?

 

[fan_of_small_world]

When I helped with a math class we always did the +s on top of the line and the -s on the bottom

It probably depends on the math program being used. DS's school uses Everyday Math. I just asked him, and they do both on top.

 

[meandtheguys2]

What the heck is Saxon math? I thought math was math... you can't really fool around with the numbers. I mean, you can't make two plus two equal five, can you?

Saxon is just a curriculum. They all use slightly different terminology.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

It's 3.

 

[Sparx]

What the heck is Saxon math? I thought math was math... you can't really fool around with the numbers. I mean, you can't make two plus two equal five, can you?

only if big brother says so.

 

[BuckyFan04]

If it's easier, you could also think of 5 + -2 (five plus negative two) as 5 - 2 (five minus two). They mean the same thing. Then on the graph just move two spots to the left. If you have a problem that looks like this: -2 + 5, that also equals 3. You can rearrange the problem to look like either 5 + -2 or
5 - 2. All three forms of the problem are equivalent.

I was taught math from the Saxon books in middle school 10 years ago. 1996-1997 was the first year that my school used those books, and my class was the first class to use them. It's just plain old "book-learning" math, not the practical-learning type. I remember doing the number lines. They're good for kids who are visual learners (although I didn't really like doing them, myself). I don't know if the books have changed since then, but I thought they worked well for me.

Edited to add: Although if you do have a problem like -2 + 5, then you have to start at the -2 (rather than at the 5) and move 5 spots to the right. You'll still end up at 3.

 

[Nala2007]

I got 3 as well...but I have to say I HATE math!!

DH is going to have to be the one to help DD when she gets there because I will help her...

in getting an F

 

[lovetoscrap]

Now look into the camera and say:

I am NOT smarter than a 5th grader!





(I love that show! )

 

[daipp]

I made the answer as 78 miles, 45 feet, and 2 inches - is it right ??

David

 

[Gurgi]

The answer is chickens.

 

[luvdzne]

Try doing 7th grade math! I don't think I learned some of the stuff my DD is learning until I was a senior in high school. Luckily I am still able to help my 2nd grader, but that will only last a few more months then it's all up to DH to deal with the math!