MathsYears 5–6Number & Place Value

Interpret negative numbers

Interpret negative numbers in context, count forwards and backwards with positive and negative whole numbers through zero

What you'll learn

  1. 1

    Imagine a thermometer outside your window. When it's really cold, the temperature can go below zero!

  2. 2

    What does the minus sign in front of a number tell you?

  3. 3

    Drag the thermometer to show -5°C — that's 5 degrees below zero.

  4. 4

    Let's read the temperature together.

  5. 5

    Now show -10°C on the thermometer — brrr, that's freezing!

  6. 6

    Which is colder: -7°C or -2°C?

  7. 7

    What number is 4 degrees below zero?

Practise Interpret negative numbers with Whizlo

Free AI-tutored lessons, unlimited practice questions, and progress tracking for ages 9–11. Aligned to the UK National Curriculum.

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