A hibernating animal lost 3 pounds. Write a signed number to represent this weight change.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to represent the weight loss of a hibernating animal using a signed number. When an animal loses weight, this is typically represented as a negative number in order to indicate a decrease.
Answer
The weight loss is represented as $-L$ kg, where $L$ is the weight lost.
Answer for screen readers
The weight loss can be represented as $-L$, where $L$ is the positive weight lost in kg. For example, if the animal loses 10 kg, it can be represented as $-10$ kg.
Steps to Solve
- Define the Weight Loss Concept
When an animal hibernates, it typically loses weight due to metabolic processes. We need to represent this weight loss with a signed number.
- Choose a Starting Weight
Let’s say the animal starts with a weight of $W$ (for instance, $W = 100$ kg).
- Calculate the Weight Lost
Suppose the animal loses $L$ kg during hibernation. The weight loss $L$ can be represented as a positive number (for example, $L = 10$ kg).
- Represent Weight Loss as a Negative Number
To represent the decrease in weight using a signed number, we use $-L$. So, in our example, the weight loss will be $-10$ kg.
- Calculate the New Weight
The new weight after loss can be calculated as: $$ \text{New Weight} = W - L $$
In our example: $$ \text{New Weight} = 100 \text{ kg} - 10 \text{ kg} = 90 \text{ kg} $$
The weight loss can be represented as $-L$, where $L$ is the positive weight lost in kg. For example, if the animal loses 10 kg, it can be represented as $-10$ kg.
More Information
Representing weight loss as a negative number helps to easily identify decreases in weight, which is useful in tracking the health and survival of animals during hibernation.
Tips
- Confusing the representation of loss with positive numbers. Always remember that weight loss should be denoted with a negative number.
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