WHAT ARE NEGATIVES?

Discover numbers below zero using temperature, lifts, and sea level.

L4L5

Section 1 / 2

WHAT ARE NEGATIVE NUMBERS?

Negative numbers are less than zero. We write them with a minus sign: −1, −2, −3... Think of a thermometer: above zero is positive (warm) and below zero is negative (cold). Zero is the dividing line between positive and negative.

Temperature: 3°C drops by 5°C

1Start at 3

2Go down 5: 3, 2, 1, 0, −1, −2

3Result: −2°C

= -2

LEADER TIP

Temperature is the perfect gateway. Freezing point, going below zero - students already understand this concept intuitively.

PRACTICE WITH THESE GAMES

Number Line Jump

Greater / Smaller

Want more practice? Generate printable worksheets with similar problems.

Go to Worksheets

CONTINUE WITH:

Negatives on Number Lines

Real-World Negatives

WHAT ARE NEGATIVES?

What would you like to share?

WHAT ARE NEGATIVES?