Unit 3 Section 3 : Negative Numbers

In this section we will see how our number system can be extended to include negative numbers.
Look at the number line below:

The numbers to the left of zero are negative and the numbers to the right of zero are positive.

If we have two numbers, we say that one is less than the other if it is further left on the number line.
For example, "2 is less than 7" because 2 is further left. This can also be written as "2 < 7".

We say that one number is greater than another if it is further right on the number line.
For example, "3 is greater than -5" because 3 is further right. This can also be written as "3 > - 5".

Check for yourself that the following statements are true: - 2 < 4 - 6 < - 3 5 > - 4 - 1 > - 7

Example Question

Using the number line above, decide whether there should be a less than (<) or greater than (>) symbol between each pair of numbers below. Click on the Click on this to see the answer button once you have worked out each one to see the correct answer.

(a)
- 5
4
(b)
3
7
(c)
- 6
- 9
(d)
2
- 2

 

Exercises

Work out the answers to the questions below and fill in the boxes. Click on the Click this button to see if you are correct button to find out whether you have answered correctly. If you are right then will appear and you should move on to the next question. If appears then your answer is wrong. Click on to clear your original answer and have another go. If you can't work out the right answer then click on Click on this button to see the correct answer to see the answer.

Question 1
Look at the temperature scale below:

Use the scale to work out what temperature is:
(a)3º C warmer than -1º C? ºC
(b)6º C colder than -3º C? ºC
(c)5º C warmer than -5º C? ºC
(d)8º C warmer than -7º C? ºC
(e)5º C colder than -2º C? ºC
(f)3º C colder than 2º C? ºC
(g)6º C colder than 2º C? ºC
(h)8º C warmer than -12º C? ºC
(i)10º C colder than -2º C? ºC
(j)20º C warmer than -12º C? ºC

Question 2
These questions are similar to those in Question 1 but they are about numbers, not temperatures.

Work out what number is:
(a)3 more than -2?
(b)5 more than -7?
(c)5 less than -4?
(d)5 more than -20?
(e)12 less than 10?
(f)6 less than 1?
(g)6 more than -10?
(h)16 less than 3?
(i)6 more than 5?
(j)20 more than -8?

Question 3
In this question you need to decide whether one number is greater or less than another number.
For example, if the question said 4 - 2 then you would put in the > symbol, because 4 > - 2.

Select a < or > symbol from the drop-down list to go in the gap in each part below:
(a)
4
2
(b)
-6
- 2
(c)
- 3
4
(d)
2
- 4
(e)
- 6
- 7
(f)
- 6
- 5
(g)
0
1
(h)
- 1
0

Question 4
In this question you need to decide whether each statement is true or false.
For example, the statement 4 > - 3 is TRUE, but the statement - 4 > - 3 is FALSE.

Select TRUE or FALSE from the drop-down list for each statement below:
(a)
6 > 7
(b)
5 > - 6
(c)
-6 < - 7
(d)
- 1 > 0
(e)
- 3 < 2
(f)
- 7 < 6
(g)
- 4 > -3
(h)
- 5 < - 2

Question 5
In this question you need to type in any integer which could go in the empty box.
For example, if the question said 4 > > - 2 then any of the integers 3, 2, 1, 0 or -1 could fit.

NB: If you click on the button the computer will put in an answer but there may be others which also work.

(a)
5 <
< 7
(b)
- 5 <
< - 3
(c)
- 3 >
> - 7
(d)
- 6 <
< 0
(e)
- 1 <
< 2

You have now completed Unit 3 Section 3
Your overall score for this section is
Correct Answers
You answered questions correctly out of the questions in this section.
Incorrect Answers
There were questions where you used the Tell Me button.
There were questions with wrong answers.
There were questions you didn't attempt.
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Produced by A.J. Reynolds January 2001