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Mountain Weather: Distance from Zero worksheet preview

Worksheet

Mountain Weather: Distance from Zero

Interpret absolute value as distance from zero using mountain weather records, number lines, and temperatures above and below zero.

Grade 6MathInteractive · Printable

Aligned to6.NS.C.7.c

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What’s included

  • Single worksheet
  • Auto-graded online
  • 1 Common Core standard
  • Printable answer key
  • 14 questions
  • Classroom-ready

Details

Format
Interactive · Printable
Grade
Grade 6
Subject
Math
Question types
Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Circle the answer, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

  • Students interpret the absolute value of a temperature as its distance from 0°C.
  • Students use absolute value to describe temperatures above and below zero.
  • Students distinguish a temperature’s direction from its distance from zero.

How to use

Use after introducing signed numbers. Have students refer to the number lines and weather records, then discuss the error-analysis response.

Curriculum

Common Core standard covered

6.NS.C.7.c

Understand absolute value as distance from 0 and use it to describe the size of a real-world quantity, like a debt.

Preview

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Name Date

Mountain Weather: Distance from Zero

Use absolute value to interpret a mountain town’s temperature records.

Read Distance from Zero

All temperatures are in degrees Celsius. Absolute value describes distance from zero, not whether a temperature is above or below zero.

−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1012345678910
1.
At sunrise, the town weather station recorded −7°C. Use the number line to find its distance from 0°C.

|−7| =  

2.
By noon, the temperature was +4°C. What does |+4| = 4 tell you?
  • A. The temperature was 4°C below zero.
  • B. The temperature changed by 4°C since sunrise.
  • C. The temperature was 4°C away from zero.
  • D. The temperature was 0°C.
3.
At one moment, the temperature was exactly 0°C.

How far was this temperature from 0°C?  °C

4.
Two temperature readings were each exactly 6°C from zero. Which pair could be the readings?
  • A. −6°C and +6°C
  • B. 0°C and +6°C
  • C. −3°C and +3°C
  • D. −6°C and 0°C
5.
A weather report says the temperature is below zero and its absolute value is 9.

What is the temperature?  °C

Interpret Weather Records

Use the records below for questions 6–9. Positive readings are above zero; negative readings are below zero.

Monday’s Mountain-Town Readings
TimeTemperature (°C)
6 a.m.−8
9 a.m.−3
Noon+5
3 p.m.+8
6 p.m.+2
9 p.m.−5
6.

How far from zero was the 9 a.m. temperature?  °C

7.
Which statement correctly compares the noon and 9 p.m. readings?
  • A. Both readings were below zero.
  • B. The noon reading was closer to zero.
  • C. The 9 p.m. reading had a negative absolute value.
  • D. Both readings were 5°C from zero, on opposite sides.
8.
The weather team flags readings whose absolute value is greater than 6. Select every time that should be flagged.

6 a.m.9 a.m.Noon3 p.m.6 p.m.9 p.m.

9.
A reporter needs the recorded temperature closest to zero. Which reading should the reporter use?
  • A. −8°C at 6 a.m.
  • B. +2°C at 6 p.m.
  • C. −3°C at 9 a.m.
  • D. +5°C at noon
10.
On Tuesday, a more precise sensor recorded −2.5°C.

What was the distance of this reading from 0°C?  °C

Apply and Explain

Use absolute value to interpret each new weather situation. Explain your reasoning for the final question.

11.
A sensor near the town’s ridge records −3/4°C.

How far is this temperature from zero?  °C

12.
A backup sensor stores only |temperature| = 4.5, not the signed temperature. What can the weather team conclude?
  • A. The temperature was definitely +4.5°C.
  • B. The temperature was definitely −4.5°C.
  • C. The temperature was either −4.5°C or +4.5°C.
  • D. The temperature was 0°C.
13.
The town uses a special sensor check whenever a reading is at least 10°C from zero. Which reading requires the check?
  • A. −10°C
  • B. +9°C
  • C. −8°C
  • D. 0°C
14.
Lena writes, “The temperature was −12°C, so its distance from zero was −12°C.” Explain her mistake and give the correct distance.

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