How do you describe elevations that are
above sea level and below sea level?
In this lesson you will learn how to use
positive and negative numbers by
thinking about situations with
elevations.
Let’s Review
6
4
2
0
Negative
Numbers
-2
-4
-6
Positive
Numbers
A Common Mistake
200 feet below sea level
-200 feet below sea level
Core Lesson
2’
0’
-2’
Sea level is another way of referring to 0.
Core Lesson
700’
220’
0’
Core Lesson
3’
0’
-5’ or
5’ below sea level
-5’
Core Lesson
3’
0’
-400’ or
400’ below sea level
-400’
Core Lesson
Some places on land are actually below sea level!
Death Valley in California is 282’ below sea level or –
282’.
–282’
In this lesson you learned how to use
positive and negative numbers by
thinking about situations with
elevations.
Guided Practice
1. A hiker climbs 150 feet up Mt. Whitney. Is this
a positive or negative number?
2. A submarine dives 200 feet below sea level.
How would you write this?
Extension Activities
Do a web search to find elevations for different parts of
the country.
What is the elevation where you live?
Extension Activities
Do a web search to find the highest elevations in the world
and the lowest.
Where are most of the highest mountains located?
Extension Activities
Do other planets have mountains?
Pick a planet and research its elevations. How do these
compare to earth’s?
Quick Quiz
1. Mt. Everest is 29,029 feet above sea level. Is
this a positive or negative number?
2. If you go scuba diving and go 50 feet below sea
level, how would you write the elevation?