āˆ‘Doodle MathšŸŖ™ 0

Positive & negative numbers

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Addition and subtraction

Positive & negative numbers

Negative numbers are less than zero. A number line helps you add and subtract them by counting forwards and backwards.

Subtract ā†’ count back-6-5-4-3-2-10123= āˆ’5Add ā†’ count forward-6-5-4-3-2-10123= āˆ’2

Using a number line

ā€¢ To ADD, count forwards (move right). ā€¢ To SUBTRACT, count backwards (move left). Numbers to the left of zero are negative; numbers to the right are positive.

Worked examples

Subtracting: 1 āˆ’ 6

  1. Start at 1 on the number line.
  2. To subtract, count back 6 places.

Answer: 1 āˆ’ 6 = āˆ’5

Adding: āˆ’4 + 2

  1. Start at āˆ’4 on the number line.
  2. To add, count forward 2 places.

Answer: āˆ’4 + 2 = āˆ’2

Where you see this in real life

  • Temperatures below zero, like āˆ’5 Ā°C on a cold day.
  • Floors below ground in a lift, such as level āˆ’2.
  • Spending money so a bank balance goes negative.

Key words

Integer
A whole number, which can be positive, negative or zero.
Positive number
A number that is greater than zero.
Negative number
A number that is less than zero.
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