Adding and Subtracting Decimals- Critical Thinking Differentiation

Directions: Use Import/Export Values for the Largest Ports in the US to determine the top 5 busiest US cargo ports and write their names in the chart.  Use the values given in billions of dollars to fill in the columns on Exports and Imports.

Imports: to bring in (merchandise, commodities, workers, etc.) from a foreign country for use, sale, processing, reexport, or services. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Exports:  to carry or send (something, such as a commodity) to some other place (such as another country) (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

                                                                                     Busiest Ports in the United States

Directions:  Answer the questions using the data in the table.  Make sure to show your thinking and write your answer in billions of dollars.  Remember to line up your decimals when you add and subtract!

1. How many billions of dollars of imports  are shipped through the 5 busiest ports in the US each year in all?

2. How many billions of dollars of exports are shipped through the 5 busiest ports in the US  each year in all?

3. Which port handles more imports than exports each year? How many more billions of dollars of imports does it handle?

4. Why do you think only one port in the top 5 has more imports than exports?  Is this a good thing for the US or not?  Why or why not?

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Directions:  Make a table that shows the difference in imports and exports for each port, each year, using the data you found above.   Hint:  watch this video to remember how to subtract a larger number from a smaller number.

Directions:  Answer the questions using the data in the table you just created.  Make sure to answer in complete sentences and cite your sources.

1. Look up the terms balance of trade, deficit, trade deficit, and trade surplus and write a definition of each in your own words here:

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2. Which term means the difference between imports and exports is negative?  

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3.  Which term means the difference between imports and exports is positive? 

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DEEP THINKING QUESTIONS:

What would it mean if all of a country's ports had a trade deficit or a trade surplus?   Would this be a good balance of trade?  Why or why not?

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What factors might cause a constant trade deficit in a country?  A constant trade surplus?  

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