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Negative Numbers (OCR GCSE Maths)

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Amber

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Negative Numbers

What are negative numbers?

  • Negative numbers are any number less than zero
  • They appear in lots of places from numerical calculations to algebra 
  • You might come across them in real-life problems such as temperature or debt

What are the rules for working with negative numbers?

  • When multiplying and dividing with negative numbers
    • Two numbers with the same sign makes a positive
      • e.g open parentheses negative 12 close parentheses divided by open parentheses equals 4 close parentheses equals 3 and open parentheses negative 6 close parentheses cross times open parentheses negative 4 close parentheses equals 24
    • Two numbers with different signs makes a negative
      • e.g. open parentheses negative 12 close parentheses divided by 4 equals negative 3 and 6 cross times open parentheses negative 4 close parentheses equals negative 24
    • For multiplication and division, it's often easier to calculate ignoring any signs, then making a decision about whether the answer should be positive or negative
  • When adding and subtracting with negative numbers
    • Subtracting a negative is the same as adding the positive number
      • e.g. 5 minus open parentheses negative 3 close parentheses equals 5 plus 3 equals 8
    • Adding a negative is the same as subtracting the positive number
      • e.g. 7 plus open parentheses negative 3 close parentheses equals 7 minus 3 equals 4

Examiner Tip

  • It can help to think of negative numbers as temperature or hot and cold air
  • Be super careful to remember the rules when adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with negatives
  • Your calculator isn't always as clever as you think... you might need to use brackets to make sure it knows a number is negative e.g. negative 3 squared not equal to negative 9

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    Amber

    Author: Amber

    Expertise: Maths

    Amber gained a first class degree in Mathematics & Meteorology from the University of Reading before training to become a teacher. She is passionate about teaching, having spent 8 years teaching GCSE and A Level Mathematics both in the UK and internationally. Amber loves creating bright and informative resources to help students reach their potential.