How do I help my little brother with negative numbers? He doesn't understand when it is positive and when it is negative.

You can show him a number line. This is an excellent site.

http://www.mathsisfun.com/positive-negative-integers.html

If your brother understands money, you can use a loan as an example. For instance, if borrows a dollar from you, he has negative $1. because he owes it to you.

This is how I remember arithmatic with negative numbers:

Addition/Subtraction: if the signs are the same you add, answer takes sign of largest number; if the signs are different you subtract, answer takes sign of largest number (this is for calculation with two numbers)

Multiplication/Division: if the signs are the same, the answer is positive; if the signs are different, the answer is negative (this is for calculation with two numbers)

Helping someone understand the concept of negative numbers can be challenging, but there are several ways you can assist your little brother. Here's a step-by-step approach you can follow:

1. Start with the basics: Begin by explaining that numbers can represent quantities, and positive numbers typically represent the presence or addition of something, while negative numbers represent the absence or subtraction of something. You can use simple examples like a money jar to illustrate this. Positive numbers can be thought of as adding money to the jar, while negative numbers are like taking money out.

2. Visual aids: Visual aids can be an effective tool to aid understanding. Consider using a number line or a thermometer to demonstrate the concept of negative numbers. For example, you can mark positive numbers to the right of zero and negative numbers to the left on the number line. Similarly, show how the temperature drops below zero on a thermometer.

3. Real-world examples: Relate negative numbers to real-life situations your brother can relate to. For instance, explain that if he borrowed some toy cars from a friend, it would be represented as a negative number because he now has fewer cars.

4. Practice with addition and subtraction: Once your brother grasps the basic concept, practice with simple addition and subtraction using negative numbers. Encourage him to imagine these operations in real-life contexts. For example, if he has $5 and then spends $7, explain that he will end up with -2 dollars.

5. Reinforce understanding through games: Engage in educational games like number line races, where your brother has to correctly mark positive and negative numbers on a number line based on given questions. Online math games and worksheets can also be helpful.

6. Patience and encouragement: Finally, be patient and supportive throughout the process. Understanding negative numbers might take time, and your encouragement will help build your brother's confidence.

Remember, understanding negative numbers is a gradual process, so it's essential to break down the concepts into manageable steps and reinforce them through practice and application in real-life scenarios.