EN
BuilderGrades 6–7⏱ 15 min

Negative numbers

Temperatures below zero, depths below sea level and money owed: order them, find opposites and distance from zero.

Standards: 6.NS.C.56.NS.C.6a6.NS.C.7

1Wonder

It is 3 degrees in the afternoon, and tonight it will be 5 degrees colder. What will the thermometer say? There must be numbers below zero!

2Explore

Number line lab

This activity needs a bigger screen

Turn your phone sideways, or open this lesson on a tablet or computer. The explanation and quiz below work here.

↑ warmer↓ colder (below freezing)−10−8−6−4−20246810A −3B 5−3 < 5A is colder than BA = −3 °C, B = 5 °C|−3| = 3: 3 steps from 0|5| = 5: 5 steps from 0A and B are 8 apartSillyChili
Show it as
Point A
-3
Point B
5
Try this
  • Drag A to −3 and B to 5. Which one is colder? Which number is smaller?
  • Put A at −7 and B at −2. Which is smaller now? Look where they are on the line.
  • Turn on Show opposites. Where is the opposite of −4?
  • With Show distance from 0 on, compare −6 and 6. How far is each one from zero?
  • Switch to Sea level and Money. What do the negative numbers mean there?

3Explain

1050−5−10−5 °C❄SillyChili
Step 1 of 6

Numbers below zero

Temperatures can go below zero. −5 °C (“negative five”) is 5 degrees below zero. Numbers less than zero are negative numbers.

Negative numbers

Every number has an opposite on the other side of 0. Numbers further left (or lower) are smaller. The absolute value |n| is the distance from 0.

4Practice

Question 1 of 5

What number is point A?

5Recap

  • Negative numbers are less than zero: below freezing, below sea level, money owed.
  • Every number has an opposite: 5 and −5 are the same distance from 0.
  • Further left (or lower) on the number line means smaller: −7 < −2.
  • The absolute value |n| is the distance from 0, so |−6| = |6| = 6.