Integer word problems worksheets
Twenty-four integer stories: temperatures, depths and heights, bank balances and debts, sports scores, and two-step problems.
Download the free integer word problems worksheet (PDF)
Integer word problems worksheet
What’s on the worksheet
- 24 questions on integer word problems, sized for US Letter paper
- 2 pages of questions plus an answer key on the last page
- Written for grades 6–7, matching Common Core 6.NS.C.5, 7.NS.A.3
- Name and date lines at the top, and room to show the work
Sample questions from this worksheet
- A diver at −8 m dives down another 14 m. Where is she now? Answer:
- A hiker stands on a hill at 35 m. A cave floor is at −20 m. How far apart are they?
- A lift starts on floor −2, goes up 9 floors, then down 4 floors. Which floor is it on?
- The Dead Sea shore is about −430 m. A town nearby is at 800 m. How much higher is the town?
- Ravi has $15. He spends $22. What is his balance? Answer:
- Mia’s balance is −$30. She pays in $45. What is her balance now? Answer:
Preview the worksheet and answer key
Make a new integer word problems worksheet
Need another page for extra practice, a retake or a second group in class? The free Mathify Kids test maker builds a fresh integer word problems worksheet with different numbers every time. Choose how many questions, print it with its own answer key, or let your child take it on screen and see the score straight away.
Integer word problems: a worked example (It is −4°C and warms 11 degrees.)
- The zero point is 0°C, so −4°C is 4 below zero.
- Warming up means adding: −4 + 11.
- Different signs: 11 − 4 = 7, and 11 is the bigger size, so the answer is 7°C.
How to use it at home and in class
At home
Ask “what does zero mean here?” before every problem. Then write each amount as an integer. Ten problems a day works better than a whole sheet at once. Mark them together with the answer key, then ask your child to explain one they got wrong: finding the mistake themselves is where the learning happens.
In class
Use the first row as a warm-up, a full page for independent practice, or five questions as an exit ticket. For a retake or a second group, make a new version with the test maker so every child gets different numbers.
Mistakes to watch for
- Ignoring the zero point and writing 4 for “4 below zero”.
- Choosing the wrong operation, such as adding when the question asks how much warmer.
- Giving a negative distance, like “−10 degrees apart”.
What to practice before and after integer word problems
- Before: absolute value. If this sheet is a struggle, go back a step.
- After: distance on the coordinate plane, once this one is mostly right.
- Learn it first: the integer word problems lesson.
More grades 6–8 worksheets
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
How do you solve integer word problems?
Find the zero point, write each amount as a positive or negative integer, choose the operation, then check that the answer makes sense in the story.
What grade is this integer word problems worksheet for?
It is written for grades 6–7 and matches Common Core standards 6.NS.C.5, 7.NS.A.3.
Can I get a different version of this integer word problems worksheet?
Yes. Use the free Mathify Kids test maker to make a new integer word problems worksheet with different numbers every time, with its own answer key.