Negative numbers

Understanding, ordering and calculating with numbers below zero

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Which number is smaller: -3 or -7? A) -3 B) -7 C) They are equal D) Cannot tell
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2
Put these temperatures in order from coldest to warmest. Put these in order: -5°C, 3°C, 0°C, -1°C
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3
The temperature is 2°C. It drops by 5 degrees. What is the new temperature? New temperature = ___°C
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4
Is this statement true or false? -10 is greater than -2. A) True B) False
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5
Order these numbers from smallest to largest. Put these in order: -12, 5, -3, 0, 8
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6
What is the difference between -4°C and 6°C? A) 2 degrees B) 4 degrees C) 6 degrees D) 10 degrees
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7
A lift is at floor -2 (underground). It goes up 5 floors. Which floor is it on now? The lift is on floor ___.
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8
A diver descends from the surface (0 m). Put these depths in order from shallowest to deepest. Put these in order: -2 m, -15 m, -8 m, -25 m
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9
At midnight the temperature was -6°C. By noon it had risen by 11 degrees, then it dropped 4 degrees by evening. What was the evening temperature? Evening temperature = ___°C
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10
Liverpool's temperature changed from 4°C to -3°C overnight. By how many degrees did the temperature drop? A) 1°C B) 5°C C) 7°C D) 11°C
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Answer key

Negative numbers · for parents and teachers

1
-7
-7 is further below zero than -3, so -7 is smaller.
2
-5°C, -1°C, 0°C, 3°C
-5°C is coldest, then -1°C, then 0°C (freezing), then 3°C is warmest.
3
-3
2 - 5 = -3°C.
4
False
-10 is further left on the number line, so it is less than -2.
5
-12, -3, 0, 5, 8
-12 < -3 < 0 < 5 < 8.
6
10 degrees
From -4 to 0 is 4 steps, then from 0 to 6 is 6 steps. Total = 10 degrees.
7
3
-2 + 5 = 3. The lift is on floor 3.
8
-2 m, -8 m, -15 m, -25 m
-2 m is shallowest (closest to surface), -25 m is deepest.
9
1
-6 + 11 = 5°C at noon. Then 5 - 4 = 1°C in the evening.
10
7°C
4 + 3 = 7°C drop.