Knowing Negative Numbers

0 is neither positive nor negative; below zero uses negatives

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About This Practice

Zero is neither positive nor negative — it is the dividing point: 8 degrees above zero is written +8, and 5 below zero is −5. Dial the temperature up and down and watch the thermometer and number line move together, meeting positive numbers, negative numbers and 0 in a concrete setting.

Dial the temperature up and down and watch the thermometer and number line move together: 8 above zero is +8, 5 below zero is −5. Zero is the dividing point — neither positive nor negative.

EasyEstimated Time: 8minnegative numberssignsabove and below zerodividing point

How to Play

  1. Read the thermometer: what is it showing now? Which point on the number line matches?
  2. Turn the temperature up: above-zero readings are positive, like +8.
  3. Turn it down below zero: 5 degrees below is written −5.
  4. Watch the number line: which side of 0 do the negatives sit on?
  5. Think it over: is 0 positive or negative?

Learning Objectives

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