Word problem with negative numbers in sequences
22 October 2026
Word problems with negative numbers in sequences can seem tricky at first. It helps to break the problem into small steps and look for patterns in the changes.
This example shows how to follow each step to find the answer.
Worked example
The temperature drops by 3 degrees every hour. If it starts at 5 degrees above zero, what is the temperature after 4 hours?
Start at 5 degrees.
Each hour, the temperature goes down by 3 degrees.
Four hours pass. Multiply the change: 4 × -3 = -12.
Add this change to the starting temperature: 5 + (-12).
5 + (-12) = -7.
The correct answer is -7 degrees.
Click or tap on the number line to answer
Key insight: After working through this problem, your child will spot how repeated changes affect a starting number, even when the answer goes below zero.
Now, your child can try similar questions to build confidence with negative numbers in sequences.
