Positive and Negative Numbers

Positive and Negative Numbers

Vocabulary:

Copyright © PreAlgebraTeachers.com All Rights Reserved

Positive numbers are
GREATER than Zero.

Negative numbers are

LESS than Zero.

0

-1

-2

-3

3

2

1

Zero is NEITHER positive

or negative!

Vocabulary:

The opposite of a number is the number with the opposite sign.

For example:

The opposite of 3 𝑖𝑠 (−3), and the opposite of (−5) 𝑖𝑠 5.

To find the opposite of a number on the number line, count how far away the number is from zero,
then go the same distance on the other side of 0.

For example: To find the opposite of 3, let’s count how far 3 is from 0. Then go from 0 to the left
that many jumps.

Copyright © PreAlgebraTeachers.com All Rights Reserved

0

-1

-2

-3

3

2

1

3 jumps from 0

3 jumps left of 0

is -3

Examples

Find the opposite of the number -4 on the number line.

Copyright © PreAlgebraTeachers.com All Rights Reserved

The opposite of a number is the
same distance from zero in the

opposite direction.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Find the number on the number
line.

Count how many jumps it is from
zero.

Move the same number of jumps
in the opposite direction.

−4

0

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6

6

5

4

3

2

1

The opposite of -4 is 4.

4 jumps from 0.

Examples

Find the opposite of the number 2 on the number line.

Copyright © PreAlgebraTeachers.com All Rights Reserved

The opposite of a number is the
same distance from zero in the

opposite direction.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Find the number on the number
line.

Count how many jumps it is from
zero.

Move the same number of jumps
in the opposite direction.

2

0

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6

6

5

4

3

2

1

The opposite of 2 is -2.

2 jumps from 0.

Fill in the Blanks

If a number is left of zero it is

Fill in the Blanks

If the number is to the right of zero it is

Multiple Choice

Which number is largest?

• 25

• -6548

• 0

• -5

Multiple Select

Which of the following numbers is/are located to the left of the number –17 on a number line? Select all that apply.

• -2

• -21

• 21

• -19

• -31

Multiple Choice

-36 is greater than -35.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The left side of this number line is:

• Positive.

• Negative.

• Neither positive nor negative.

Multiple Choice

A diver is 50 ft below sea level. Which integer correctly represents the situation?

• 50 ft
• 0 ft
• -50 ft
• 30 ft

Multiple Choice

Alaska is -3 degrees, Iowa is 5 degrees, Idaho is -7 degrees, New York is 9 degrees, and Maine is -1. Which state has the coldest temperature?

• Alaska
• Iowa
• Maine
• Idaho

Multiple Choice

Which situation could the integer -50 represent?

• An increase of $50 in a bank account
• The temperature on a warm spring day
• The distance driven on the way to the beach
• A decrease of 50 employees

Multiple Choice

A plane's altitude changes by -1,000 feet. Is the plane going up or down

• up

• down

Multiple Choice

The opposite of a negative is always a ___________

• positive
• negative
• absolute value
• inequality

Multiple Choice

What is true about opposites?

• They are on the same side of zero
• They are the same distance away from zero.
• They are not really opposites