Word problem for algebra homework

[Guest]

I'm usually ok with these problems but this one is throwing me off.. just not sure what they are wanting me to do?

"College enrollments across the United states, community college enrollment grew by 1,400,000 students from fall 2007 to fall 2010. In California, community college enrollment declined by 110,171 students from fall 2009 to fall 2010"

Use integers to write the change in enrollment:
(A) in the U.S. from fall 2007 to fall 2010
(B) in California from fall 2009 to fall 2010

[Guest]

Do you understand the point of this question and why they specify "integers"? It's really just testing whether you understand the definition of "integer". The change in the U.S.A. is "+140,000" and the change in California is "-110,171".

[Laura_Lenz]

Thanks for help!

[Ander]

In this problem, you are asked to use integers to represent the change in enrollment of community colleges in the United States and in California between two different time periods.

(A) To find the change in enrollment in the United States from fall 2007 to fall 2010, you can subtract the enrollment in fall 2007 from the enrollment in fall 2010:

Enrollment in fall 2010 - Enrollment in fall 2007 = 1,400,000

So, the change in enrollment in the United States from fall 2007 to fall 2010 is an increase of 1,400,000 students.

(B) To find the change in enrollment in California from fall 2009 to fall 2010, you can subtract the enrollment in fall 2010 from the enrollment in fall 2009:

Enrollment in fall 2010 - Enrollment in fall 2009 = -110,171

So, the change in enrollment in California from fall 2009 to fall 2010 is a decrease of 110,171 students.

Therefore, the answers to the questions are:

(A) Change in enrollment in the U.S. from fall 2007 to fall 2010 = +1,400,000

(B) Change in enrollment in California from fall 2009 to fall 2010 = -110,171