Introduction to Negative Numbers

Hello, Year 5! Today, we are going to learn about negative numbers. Negative numbers are numbers less than zero. They are important in many real-life situations. Let’s explore what they are and how we can use them!

What are Negative Numbers?

  1. Understanding Zero: Zero is like the middle point on a number line. It’s neither positive nor negative.
  2. Negative Numbers: These are numbers that come before zero on the number line. Examples include -1, -2, -3, and so on. The further left you go on the number line, the smaller the number gets.

Visualising Negative Numbers

Imagine a number line:

 -3    -2    -1    0    1    2    3

Here, -1 is less than 0, and -2 is less than -1. Negative numbers are important in different situations!

Where Do We See Negative Numbers?

1. Temperature

In weather reports, temperatures can go below zero. For example, if it is -5°C, it means it is 5 degrees below freezing point.

2. Elevation

In geography, we can talk about heights above and below sea level. For example, the Dead Sea is at -430 meters, which means it is 430 meters below sea level.

3. Banking

If you spend more money than you have in your bank account, your balance can go negative. For instance, if you have £10 and spend £15, your balance will be -£5.

4. Games and Sports

In some games, like darts or golf, players can have negative scores if they perform poorly.

Key Rules for Working with Negative Numbers

  1. Adding a Negative Number: When you add a negative number, you are going to the left on the number line.
    • Example: 3 + (-2) = 1
  2. Subtracting a Negative Number: When you subtract a negative number, you are going to the right on the number line.
    • Example: 3 – (-2) = 5
  3. Multiplying Negative Numbers:
    • A positive number times a negative number gives a negative number.
      • Example: 3 \times (-2) = -6
    • A negative number times a negative number gives a positive number.
      • Example: (-3) \times (-2) = 6

Tips and Tricks

  • Always remember: Adding a negative is like subtracting.
  • Subtracting a negative is like adding.
  • Use a number line if you get confused. It helps to visualise where the numbers are.

Practice Questions

Easy Level Questions

  1. What is 5 + (-3)?
  2. What is 0 – 4?
  3. What is -2 + 2?
  4. What is -5 + 5?
  5. What is -1 + (-1)?
  6. What is -7 + 3?
  7. What is 2 – (-2)?
  8. What is -10 + 10?
  9. What is 3 – 5?
  10. What is -3 + 0?
  11. What is 0 + (-6)?
  12. What is -4 + 1?
  13. What is -3 – 3?
  14. What is 1 + (-1)?
  15. What is -8 + 8?
  16. What is 0 – 2?
  17. What is -9 + 4?
  18. What is 2 + (-5)?
  19. What is -6 + 6?
  20. What is -1 – 1?

Medium Level Questions

  1. What is 4 + (-9)?
  2. What is -3 + 7?
  3. What is -2 – (-5)?
  4. What is (-4) \times 3?
  5. What is 5 – (-2)?
  6. What is (-5) + (-6)?
  7. What is -3 – 4?
  8. What is (-7) + 10?
  9. What is 8 – (-3)?
  10. What is -6 – 2?
  11. What is (-2) \times (-3)?
  12. What is 10 – 15?
  13. What is (-1) + 4?
  14. What is (-8) + 3?
  15. What is 0 – (-7)?
  16. What is (-3) \times 2?
  17. What is -5 + (-3) + 4?
  18. What is (-10) + 10?
  19. What is 2 + (-7)?
  20. What is 3 – 6 – (-1)?

Hard Level Questions

  1. What is (-8) + (-7) + 5?
  2. What is -4 – 9 + 6?
  3. What is (-6) \times (-2) + 3?
  4. What is 0 – (3 + (-5))?
  5. What is (-3) + 4 – 10?
  6. What is -7 + (-2) \times 5?
  7. What is (-5) + 3 + (-2)?
  8. What is (-4) \times 0 + 7?
  9. What is (-9) – (-3) + 6?
  10. What is (-2) \times 6 + 8?
  11. What is (-5) + (3 + (-2))?
  12. What is (-10) + 8 – (-6)?
  13. What is (-1) – (-1) + 4?
  14. What is (-4) \times (-1) – 3?
  15. What is (-7) + 5 – 9?
  16. What is (-8) + 2 – (-10)?
  17. What is (-3) \times 3 + 9?
  18. What is (-6) – 4 + (-2)?
  19. What is (-5) + 5 – 3?
  20. What is (-12) + 4 + (-2)?

Answers to the Questions

Easy Level Answers

  1. 2
  2. -4
  3. 0
  4. 0
  5. -2
  6. -4
  7. 4
  8. 0
  9. -2
  10. -3
  11. -6
  12. -3
  13. -6
  14. 0
  15. 0
  16. -2
  17. -5
  18. -3
  19. 0
  20. -2

Medium Level Answers

  1. -5
  2. 4
  3. 3
  4. -12
  5. 7
  6. -11
  7. -7
  8. 3
  9. 11
  10. -8
  11. 6
  12. -5
  13. 3
  14. -5
  15. 7
  16. -6
  17. -4
  18. 0
  19. -5
  20. -4

Hard Level Answers

  1. -10
  2. -7
  3. 9
  4. 2
  5. -9
  6. -12
  7. -4
  8. 7
  9. -3
  10. -10
  11. -4
  12. -2
  13. 4
  14. 1
  15. -11
  16. 0
  17. 0
  18. -12
  19. -8
  20. -10

Conclusion

Great job, Year 5! You’ve learned about negative numbers and their context in real life. Remember to practice, and soon, you’ll be a pro at using negative numbers! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!