Positive and Negative Numbers

Working on the Number Line

Definition

• Positive number – a number greater than zero.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Definition

• Negative number – a number less than zero.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6-1-2-3-4-5-6

Definition

• Opposite Numbers – numbers that are the same distance from zero in the opposite direction

0 1 2 3 4 5 6-1-2-3-4-5-6

Definition

• Integers – Integers are all the whole numbers and all of their opposites on the negative number line including zero.

7 opposite -7

Negative Numbers Are Used to Measure Temperature

Negative Numbers Are Used to Measure Under Sea Level

0102030

-10-20-30-40-50

Negative Numbers Are Used to Show Debt

Let’s say your parents bought a car buthad to get a loan from the bank for $5,000.When counting all their money they add in -$5.000 to show they still owe the bank.

Hint

• If you don’t see a negative or positive sign in front of a number it is positive.

9+

-5 50 10-10

2 7 7 2

-5 50 10-10

9 4 4 9

-5 50 10-10

3 8 8 3

Vocabulary

• Greater than (>) – a symbol used to show numbers greater than another

• Less than (<) – a symbol used to show numbers less than another

• Equals (=) a symbol used to show numbers having the same value

Remember! The hungry alligator always eats the largest number.

How to compare numbers

Line up thenumbers

Compare athighest place value

If numbersare the samego to next digitto the right

12,391 8,97113,762

12,391 8,97113,762

12,391 8,97113,762

1 2 3

Write < > or =

5,931 4,931>

Look at the 5 & 4

Write < > or =

941 951<

Write < > or =

1,252 1,232>

Write < > or =

2,425 2,425=

Write < > or =

12,349 12,449<

Write < > or =

Five thousand 50,000<

Positive and negative integers can be shown on a number line.

Positive integersNegative integers

We can use the number line to compare integers.

For example,

–3–8

–3 > –8

–3 ‘is greater than’ –8

Integers on a number line

Ordering negative numbers

Write the integers –2, 8, 2, –6, –9 and 5 in order from smallest to largest.

We can also use a number line to help us write integers in order.

Look at the position of the integers on the number line:

–9 –6 –2 2 5 8

So, the integers in order are:

–9, –6, –2, 2 , 5, and 8