Question

fill in the blanks below. (a) a hibernating animal lost 4 pounds. write a signed number to represent this weight change. (b) a car corporation produced 900 fewer cars this month than last. write a signed number to represent this months change in production.

Explanation:

Step1: Understand weight - loss sign convention

In mathematics, a loss is represented by a negative number. Since the hibernating animal lost 4 pounds, the signed - number representation is based on this convention.

• 4

Step2: Understand production - decrease sign convention

A decrease in production is also represented by a negative number. The car corporation produced 900 fewer cars, so the signed - number representation follows this rule.

• 900

Answer:

(a) - 4
(b) - 900