Absolute Value in Word Problems - Matching Worksheet

Let's solve each word problem step by step and match it to the correct answer from the list (a–g). We'll use absolute value concepts where necessary, especially when dealing with debts, negative balances, or amounts owed.

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1. Spencer has a bank account with a balance of $75.00. Spencer owes $30.00 to her credit card and she owes $50.00 for a LCD TV. What would Spencer’s bank balance be, if both debits were paid?

- Starting balance: $75.00
- Debits (amounts owed): $30 + $50 = $80
- If these are paid, that means $80 is subtracted from the balance:
$$
75 - 80 = -5
$$
- So, Spencer's new balance would be $-5.00

✔ Match: c. -$5

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2. Ruiz wants to buy a coffee machine that costs $45.00. How much would the cashier give Ruiz if she gives the cashier a $100 bill?

- Ruiz pays $100, item costs $45
- Change = $100 - $45 = $55

✔ Match: g. $55

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3. Last Wednesday, Bradley had $15. Over the weekend he received $25 for gardening. How much does Bradley have now?

- Initial amount: $15
- Earned: $25
- Total: $15 + $25 = $40

✔ Match: d. $40

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4. William went to the shop with $20.00. He bought a bag, water bottle and shirt. He came home with $1.50. How much money did he spend?

- Started with: $20.00
- Left with: $1.50
- Spent: $20 - $1.50 = $18.50

✔ Match: a. $18.50

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5. Riley’s mom has asked him to go to the supermarket and buy food for dinner. She has given Riley $25. Riley spends $11.00 for ham, $5.00 for lettuce, $8.00 for one bag of mushrooms and $5.00 for ice cream. How much money is Riley short?

- Total spent:
$11 + $5 + $8 + $5 = $30.00
- Money given: $25
- Short by: $30 - $25 = $5.00

So Riley is $5 short, meaning he needs $5 more.

✔ Match: c. -$5 (negative because it's a deficit)

> Note: Although "short" implies a positive amount needed, the answer choice uses negative sign to represent debt/deficit. So -$5 matches.

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6. Elliott buys a pizza slice for $12, French Fries for $15, and a cheese burger for $20. She paid that amount with her credit card. Elliott has a bank account with a balance of $40. What would Elliott’s bank balance be, if all debits were paid?

- Total cost: $12 + $15 + $20 = $47
- This was charged to credit card → so no immediate impact on bank balance
- But the question says: *"if all debits were paid"*, meaning the $47 charge will be deducted from his bank account

- Current balance: $40
- After paying $47: $40 - $47 = -$7

✔ Match: b. -$7

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7. Hot dogs are $10.00, orange drinks are $20.00, chips are $25.00, and popcorn is $20.00. Austin bought two hot dogs, a bag of popcorn, and an orange drink. Austin’s bank account balance is $50. What would his balance be after paying all these expenses?

- Two hot dogs: 2 × $10 = $20
- Popcorn: $20
- Orange drink: $20
- Total spent: $20 + $20 + $20 = $60

- Starting balance: $50
- After spending: $50 - $60 = -$10

✔ Match: f. -$10

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✔ Final Answers:

1. c
2. g
3. d
4. a
5. c
6. b
7. f

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🔍 Summary Table:

| Problem | Answer Letter | Reason |
|--------|---------------|--------|
| 1 | c | $75 - $80 = -$5 |
| 2 | g | $100 - $45 = $55 |
| 3 | d | $15 + $25 = $40 |
| 4 | a | $20 - $1.50 = $18.50 |
| 5 | c | $30 spent, only $25 available → -$5 |
| 6 | b | $40 - $47 = -$7 |
| 7 | f | $50 - $60 = -$10 |

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✔ Final Matching:

1. c
2. g
3. d
4. a
5. c
6. b
7. f

Let me know if you'd like this printed in a fillable format!