POSITIVE & NEGATIVE NUMBERS

Negative numbers are any numbers less than zero; positive numbers are any numbers more than zero. The easiest way to explain this is to show it on a 'number line':

2020-06-12 (32).png

It is worth noting that positive numbers do not always have a + sign in front of them. When completing calculations, if a number does not have a + or - sign in front of it, it will be a positive number. The number line above can be also written as:

2020-06-12 (30).png

If your child struggles with negative numbers, encourage them to use a number line to count on as much as possible. (To add on a number line count to the right; to subtract, count to the left.)

EXAMPLE 1

-5 + 6 = ?

Positive & Negative Numbers 1.png

EXAMPLE 2

-1 - 3 = ?

Positive & Negative Numbers 2.png

TWO SIGNS THE SAME NEXT TO EACH OTHER

(e.g. 4 - - 2 = ? or 3 - + 6 = ?)

When there are two signs next to one another, use the following:

Positive & Negative Numbers 3.png

(When two signs next to each other are the same they become positive; when two signs next to each other are different they become negative.)

Positive & Negative Numbers 4.png
Positive & Negative Numbers 5.png

MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING NEGATIVE NUMBERS

This is simpler than it sounds. Again, use the following:

Positive & Negative Numbers 6.png