Negative numbers

Negative numbers are numbers that are less than zero. They are used to represent things like temperatures below freezing, depths below sea level, and losses in a game.

Here are some key things to remember about negative numbers:

• The number line: Negative numbers are located to the left of zero on a number line. The further left a number is, the smaller it is.

• Comparing negative numbers: The larger the negative number, the smaller its value. For example, -5 is smaller than -2.

• Adding and subtracting negative numbers: Adding a negative number is the same as subtracting a positive number. Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding a positive number.   

• Multiplying and dividing negative numbers: When you multiply or divide two negative numbers, the answer is positive. When you multiply or divide a negative number and a positive number, the answer is negative.   

Here's an example of how to add negative numbers:

-3 + (-2) = -5

This is the same as subtracting a positive number:

-3 - 2 = -5

Here's an example of how to subtract negative numbers:

-3 - (-2) = -1

This is the same as adding a positive number:

-3 + 2 = -1

Here's an example of how to multiply negative numbers:

-2 * -3 = 6

Here's an example of how to divide negative numbers:

-6 / -2 = 3