OpenOlympiad
Concept 2 of 8Foundation
Video

The number line

A number line shows integers in order. Negatives go LEFT, positives go RIGHT of zero.

The further left, the smaller the number. So –10 < –3 < 0 < 2 < 9.

The absolute value |x| is the distance from 0 (always positive). |−7| = 7, |5| = 5.

Example
Which is larger: –8 or –3?
–3 is larger (closer to zero, further right).
–3–2–10123
💡 Tip:Temperature: –12°C feels COLDER than –3°C (more negative = smaller).
Prefer a video? Open YouTube search for “integers on number line class 6

🎯 Try it!

5 questions to check what you just read.

0 / 5
  1. Q1.Which number is farthest from 0: −7, 3, 5, −2?
  2. Q2.Order from smallest to largest: −3, 1, −5, 0.
  3. Q3.|−8| equals:
  4. Q4.Which is greater: −10 or −3?
  5. Q5.Distance between −4 and 3 on the number line: