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Negative Numbers (Medium)

Negative numbers show how maths can go below zero. In 11 Plus Maths, they appear in temperature, money, and real-life scenarios involving gains and losses.

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Fascinating Fact:

Negative numbers appear in elevators, bank accounts, and thermometers, three places that can make your stomach drop.

In 11 Plus Maths, pupils use negative numbers to understand changes, such as temperatures dropping below zero or debts increasing. Learning how to add and subtract these values helps build confidence with real-world maths.

Key Terms

Integer: A whole number that can be positive, negative, or zero.
Temperature Scale: A numerical system used to measure how hot or cold something is, such as Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Opposite Number: A number that is the same distance from zero but in the opposite direction, like -5 and +5.

Parents can find more 11 Plus learning resources in our guide to 11 Plus courses and materials.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How do you add negative numbers?

When you add a negative number, it’s the same as subtracting. For example, 10 + (-3) equals 7.

Where do negative numbers appear in real life?

They appear in bank balances, temperature readings below zero, and lifts that go underground.

What happens when you multiply two negative numbers?

When two negative numbers are multiplied, the result is positive because the negatives cancel each other out.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

Which of the following expressions is wrong?

-3 < 3

-3 > 3

3 > -3

-3 < 0

Numbers to the left of zero are negative, but numbers to the right of zero are positive. As you move to the right along the number line, the numbers increase in size, but as you move to the left along the number line, the numbers decrease in size. In this case -3 is to the left of 3, so -3 < 3

2 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

Which of the following expressions is wrong?

4 > 3

-4 > -3

-4 < -3

4 > -3

In this case -4 is to the left of -3, so -4 < -3

3 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

If the temperature is ten degrees below zero, how would this be written?

0+10°C

0-10°C

10°C

-10°C

Any number below zero is written with a minus sign in front of it

4 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

Which of the following expressions is correct?

-8 > -10

-8 < -10

8 > 10

-8 > 10

In this case -8 is to the right of -10, so -8 > -10

5 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

Which of the following expressions is correct?

0 > -1

0 < -1

1 < -1

-1 > 1

In this case 0 is to the right of -1, so 0 > -1

6 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

Starting at -4 on the number line, what number do you come to if you add 6?

-2

-10

Adding six means that you move to the right by six units: this brings you to 2

7 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

Starting at -2 on the number line, what number do you come to if you subtract 6?

-4

-8

Subtracting six means that you move to the left by six units: this brings you to -8

8 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

Starting at 5 on the number line, what number do you come to if you subtract 5, then add 4, and finally subtract 8?

-4

-2

Subtracting 5 means that you move to the left by 5 units: this brings you to 0. adding 4 means that you move to the right by 4 units: this brings you to 4. Subtracting 8 means that you move to the left by 8 units: this brings you to -4

9 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

Starting at 1 on the number line, what number do you come to if you subtract 3, then add 7, and finally subtract 4?

-1

Subtracting 3 means that you move to the left by 3 units: this brings you to -2. adding 7 means that you move to the right by 7 units: this brings you to 5. Subtracting 4 means that you move to the left by 4 units: this brings you to 1: you are back where you started!

10 .

Use this portion of the NUMBER LINE to help you do these questions:

... -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10...

Starting at -3 on the number line, what number do you come to if you subtract 6, then add 9, and finally subtract 6?

-6

Subtracting 6 means that you move to the left by 6 units: this brings you to -9. adding 9 means that you move to the right by 9 units: this brings you to 0. Subtracting 6 means that you move to the left by 6 units: this brings you to -6

Author: Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)