What negative numbers are
Negative numbers are less than 0.
Negative number: a number less than 0, for example −3. You say −3 as "negative 3". Integer: 0, a positive whole number, or a negative whole number.
Watch an elevator go above and below the ground
Opposites: 2 numbers at the same distance from 0, on different sides of 0. Absolute value: the distance of a number from 0. You write the absolute value of −3 as |−3|.
Try it
Move the ball on the number line
- Click "Left 1" or "Right 1". You can also click a block.
- Count the steps from 0. The number of steps is the absolute value.
- Click "Go to the opposite".
Quick check
Answer 5 questions. You see your score at the end.