Application: Elevation and Depth
Application: Elevation and Depth is a Grade 7 math skill in Reveal Math Accelerated, Unit 5: Solve Problems Involving Operations with Integers and Rational Numbers, where students use positive and negative integers to represent elevation above and depth below sea level, and solve problems involving the difference in elevation between two locations using subtraction of signed numbers. Real-world contexts include mountains, valleys, sea floors, and buildings.
Key Concepts
Elevations above sea level are positive, and depths below sea level are negative.
The vertical distance between two elevations $x$ and $y$ is: $$\text{Distance} = |x y|$$.
Common Questions
How are positive and negative integers used for elevation and depth?
Positive integers represent positions above sea level (elevation), and negative integers represent positions below sea level (depth). Sea level is 0. For example, a mountain at 3,000 feet is +3,000 and a sea floor at 200 feet below is -200.
How do you find the difference in elevation between two points?
Subtract the lower elevation from the higher elevation. For example, the difference between a cliff at 150 m and a canyon floor at -80 m is 150 - (-80) = 150 + 80 = 230 m.
Why does subtracting a negative number give a larger result?
Subtracting a negative is the same as adding its positive. Removing a debt of $50 is the same as gaining $50. In elevation, going from -80 m to 150 m is a gain of 230 m.
What is Reveal Math Accelerated Unit 5 about?
Unit 5 covers Solve Problems Involving Operations with Integers and Rational Numbers, including adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers and rational numbers in real-world contexts.