Math 6 High (Period 3)

Integers & The Number Line 4.1

Integers are the Counting Numbers (also known as Natural Numbers), their opposites, and ZERO.

We have Negative Integers, Positive Integers and Zero. 

The symbol used to represent negative integers is a “negative sign.” 

-4 is normally read as negative 4 

BUT it is also understood to mean “the opposite of 4”

On a number line,
the negative numbers are to the LEFT of ZERO and
the positive numbers are to the RIGHT of ZERO.

Please turn to Page 167 in our textbook and look at the examples of graphing various negative integers on a number line. 

You will notice that -4 is to the left of -1… Therefore -4 < -1  That is -4 IS LESS THAN -1. 

You could also state that -1> -4. That is, -1 IS GREATER THAN -4.

Negative numbers are used in real-life situations to represent sub-zero temperatures as well as losses that occur in business.