Introduction

Hello, Year 6! Today, we’re going to learn about adding positive numbers to negative numbers. This is an important skill that will help you with many math problems. Let’s break it down step by step!

Understanding Positive and Negative Numbers

First, let’s remember what positive and negative numbers are:

  • Positive Numbers: These are numbers greater than zero. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on.
  • Negative Numbers: These are numbers less than zero. For example, -1, -2, -3, -4, and so on.

Visualising with a Number Line

A great way to understand this is by using a number line. Picture a line that goes left and right:

  • The middle of the line is zero.
  • Numbers to the right of zero are positive.
  • Numbers to the left of zero are negative.

When you add a positive number to a negative number, you are moving to the right on the number line.

Key Rule

When adding a positive number to a negative number, think of it this way:

  • Subtract the positive number from the absolute value of the negative number. Then, use the sign of the larger number.

Example

Let’s say we want to add -5 and +3:

  1. Think of -5 as: This is 5 steps to the left of zero.
  2. Adding +3 means: We move 3 steps to the right.
  3. So, -5 + 3 = -2. You end up 2 steps to the left of zero.

Tips and Tricks

  • Remember: When the positive number is smaller than the absolute value of the negative number (like -5 + 3), the result will still be negative.
  • If the positive number is larger than the absolute value of the negative number (like -5 + 7), the result will be positive.
  • Always think in terms of moving left (negative) and right (positive) on the number line.

Questions

Easy Level

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

Medium Level

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

Hard Level

  1. -25 + 15 = ?
  2. -30 + 20 = ?
  3. -22 + 30 = ?
  4. -18 + 10 = ?
  5. -17 + 12 = ?
  6. -21 + 25 = ?
  7. -28 + 18 = ?
  8. -24 + 14 = ?
  9. -35 + 50 = ?
  10. -40 + 30 = ?
  11. -19 + 22 = ?
  12. -16 + 28 = ?
  13. -27 + 19 = ?
  14. -15 + 15 = ?
  15. -20 + 10 = ?
  16. -23 + 5 = ?
  17. -38 + 10 = ?
  18. -12 + 3 = ?
  19. -11 + 9 = ?
  20. -29 + 29 = ?

Answers

Easy Level Answers

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

Medium Level Answers

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

Hard Level Answers

  1. -10
  2. -10
  3. 8
  4. -8
  5. -5
  6. 4
  7. -10
  8. -10
  9. 15
  10. -10
  11. 3
  12. 12
  13. -8
  14. 0
  15. -10
  16. -18
  17. -28
  18. -9
  19. -2
  20. 0

Conclusion

Great job, Year 6! Now you know how to add positive numbers to negative numbers. Keep practicing, and you will get even better! Remember, using a number line can really help you visualise the process. Happy maths!