Understanding Positive and Negative Numbers

A positive number is a number greater than zero, located to the right of zero on a number line.

A negative number is a number less than zero, located to the left of zero on a number line.

4 is greater than -2 because it is to the right of -2 on the number line.

The opposite of a number is the number that is the same distance from zero but in the opposite direction on the number line.

The opposite of -5 is 5.

Your new balance is 0 dollars.

-18 is greater than -19.

A number to the left of another number is smaller than that number.

A number to the right of another number is greater than that number.

The result depends on the absolute values; if the positive number is greater, the result is positive; if the negative number is greater, the result is negative.