Can someone help me understand what these are? I know that it has something to do with a negative number, but I can't seem to understand them! Ms. Sue or Writeacher PLZ HELP ME UNDERSTAND THEM!!
Writeacher and I are English/social studies teachers. However, this may help you.
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/comparing-and-ordering-integers
Thank you, Ms. Sue!!
You're welcome, Luna.
I'd be happy to help you understand negative numbers! Negative numbers are a fundamental concept in mathematics, and they play an essential role in many different areas, such as algebra, calculus, and physics.
To understand negative numbers, it's important to have a basic understanding of the number line. The number line is a horizontal line that extends infinitely in both directions. It starts with zero in the middle, and positive numbers are placed to the right of zero, while negative numbers are placed to the left of zero.
Negative numbers represent values less than zero. For example, -3 is a negative number, -2 is also negative, and so on. The consecutive negative numbers get smaller as you move further away from zero.
To understand negative numbers visually, you can think of them as debts or withdrawals. Just as positive numbers represent gains or deposits, negative numbers represent losses or withdrawals. If you start with $0 in your bank account and withdraw $10, your account balance becomes -$10, indicating that you owe the bank $10.
An important concept related to negative numbers is the idea of absolute value. The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. For example, the absolute value of -5 is 5, while the absolute value of 5 is also 5.
To perform arithmetic operations with negative numbers, different rules apply:
- Adding negative numbers: When you add two negative numbers, you are essentially combining the losses or debts. For example, -3 + (-2) equals -5 because you are adding a loss of 3 with another loss of 2, resulting in a total loss of 5.
- Subtracting negative numbers: Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart. For example, 5 - (-3) equals 5 + 3, which gives you 8.
- Multiplying and dividing negative numbers: The rules for multiplying and dividing negative numbers involve the concept of "like signs" and "unlike signs." When you multiply or divide two numbers with the same sign (both positive or both negative), the result is positive. Conversely, when you multiply or divide two numbers with unlike signs (one positive and one negative), the result is negative.
By understanding the number line, absolute value, and the rules for arithmetic operations, you can develop a solid understanding of negative numbers and how they work in mathematics. Practice with different examples and seek help when needed to reinforce your understanding.