Not every number is a "counting" number — some numbers are below zero! Drag the slider to explore positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero on the number line.
Try it: slide left for negative numbers, right for positive!
Integers are whole numbers that can be positive, negative, or zero — but never a fraction or decimal. Integers show up all around us: a thermometer reading below freezing, a lift going to a basement floor, or money owed.
Usually written without the + sign, just as 1, 2, 3. They are greater than zero.
Always written with a − sign. They are less than zero.
On a number line, numbers get larger as you move right, and smaller as you move left. This means every positive integer is greater than every negative integer, and zero sits exactly in between.
Which is greater, −5 or 3? Since 3 is to the right of −5 on the number line, 3 > −5
Which is greater, −3 or −8? −3 is closer to zero (further right), so −3 > −8
When adding integers with the same sign, add their values and keep the sign. When adding integers with different signs, subtract the smaller value from the larger, and keep the sign of the bigger one.
(−3) + (−5): both negative, so add 3+5=8 and keep the negative sign: −8
(−7) + 4: subtract 7−4=3, and keep the sign of the bigger value (7, which is negative): −3
5 − (−3): subtracting a negative is the same as adding its positive — 5 + 3 = 8
The temperature was −6°C in the morning and rose to −1°C by noon. By how many degrees did it rise?
(−1) − (−6) = −1 + 6 = 5°C
A lift starts at the ground floor (0), goes down 5 floors to a basement, then up 3 floors. What floor is it on now?
0 − 5 + 3 = −2 (2 floors below ground)
Arrange −5, 3, 0, −2 from smallest to largest.
−5, −2, 0, 3
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