A number, not a take-away
You see −3 in a notebook. Is it "take away 3"? Take 3 away from what?
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Step 1 of 4
- A line with zero in the middle.
- Right side: positive numbers.
- Left side: negative numbers, with a dash.
- Zero is neither.
The rule
No. −3 is one number: the spot 3 steps left of zero.
A number left of zero is a negative number. A number right of zero is a positive number. Zero is neither.
| The spot | Written | Said |
|---|---|---|
| 4 steps right of zero | 4 | four |
| 4 steps left of zero | −4 | negative four |
| No steps either way | 0 | zero |
Whole numbers, their negatives and zero make one family. It is called the integers.
Watch out!
The dash in −3 does not mean take away. It says the spot is 3 steps left of zero.