yego.me
💡 Stop wasting time. Read Youtube instead of watch. Download Chrome Extension

Introduction to negative numbers


2m read
·Nov 10, 2024

In this video, we're going to introduce ourselves to the idea of negative numbers. Now, you're already used to the idea of positive numbers; you just called them numbers, not positive numbers. And just to give you an example, I will draw a number line here, and this should all be review for you.

So let me start at 0, and then this would be 1, this would be 2, this would be 3. You can think of these numbers, which you're used to, which we could call positive numbers, as how far we are above zero. One is one above zero; two is two above zero.

Now, what do you think negative numbers are going to be? If positive numbers are how far we are above zero, then a negative number would be how far we are below zero. So, for example, if I go one to the left on this number line, that would now get us to negative one. Positive one is one to the right; negative one is one to the left. If I were to go another one to the left, I would get to negative two, and I could keep going.

As many positive numbers are there, I can have the negative version of it. However far I am to the right, I could be that far to the left. Now, some of you, especially if you live in very cold parts of the world, might have already experienced negative numbers in some way.

For example, if you look at a thermometer, and this has both a Celsius thermometer right over here and Fahrenheit, we know that you can get temperatures below zero degrees Celsius and temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit on this thermometer. They just mark how far we are below zero with these red numbers, but really these are negative numbers.

We specify negative numbers by putting that negative sign right in front of it like that. So, for example, 20 degrees Celsius is positive. 20 degrees Celsius is actually a pretty comfortable temperature, but negative 20 degrees Celsius, that is below 20 degrees Celsius, below the freezing point of water. That is a very, very, very cold temperature.

One is 20 degrees above zero; one is 20 degrees below zero. So, big picture, for any given number, there's a negative version of it. For example, this right over here would be positive six, and then you could have negative six, but negative six is six below zero or six left of the zero on the number line, while positive six is, of course, six above zero.

So I will leave you there. You might be thinking, "Oh wow, this looks a lot like a subtraction sign." Maybe it is related to subtraction somehow, or how can I do addition and subtraction, multiplication, and division with negative numbers? And for that, we will go to future videos.

More Articles

View All
Why Being Nice to Women Fails – Do THIS Instead Stoic Wisdom
Have you ever wondered why being nice to women doesn’t seem to get you anywhere? You do everything right—you’re respectful, you listen, you compliment her—yet she seems more drawn to the guy who barely tries. Why is that? Most men think being nice means b…
The only way to stop being broke
There’s a very good chance that if you’re watching this video and you are a person who lives in the year 2023, you don’t have as much money as you probably want to have. It’s difficult times right now. I’ve always been pretty good at making money. I’ve al…
Explore the Hidden and Fragile World Inside Caves | Short Film Showcase
Oh [Music] my name is Nancy Ellen Bach. I am a second-generation caterer. I’ve been caving my entire life. I feel more at home underground than I do anywhere else. This is where I belong and I am a sustaining contributor of the Southeastern Cave Conservan…
How Bitcoin Can Stop War
I’m pretty open about my philosophy. I consider myself a voluntarios, and that means that I think that human beings should be allowed to do absolutely anything they want, so long as it’s peaceful. They shouldn’t be allowed to use aggressive violence again…
Bear Cubs Emerge From the Den | National Geographic
NARRATOR: But imagine seeing the park with fresh eyes, and every view a rare glimpse into a hidden world just like this one. A black bear and her cubs, a typical litter of three. For five months, she hasn’t stirred. Even as their mother slumbered, the cub…
How I Borrow FREE Money
What’s up you guys! It’s Graham here. So let’s cover something that continues to get brought up here on the channel, especially recently after some of my income breakdown videos. That is the fact that I actively try to borrow as much money as I possibly c…