How can you use positive numbers to locate negative numbers on a number line?

Question

 How can you use positive numbers to locate negative numbers on a number line?

Answer 1

Hi Nancy--

 

this is an "absolute value" question--negative numbers are a certain number of "steps" away from zero on the number line.

 

For example to get to - 4, you take 4 steps to the left of zero. Note that you don't take "negative steps," you are taking 4 actual steps, just in another direction.

 

So you've taken 4 (positive 4!) steps to get to - 4

 

Hope that helps!

 

Matt

Answer 2

Positive numbers on thenumber line are to the right of zero. Negative numbers are to the left of zero exactly the same distances from zero as their corresponding positive values.

 

For example, if 5 is 5 spaces to the right of zero then -5 is 5 spaces to the left of zero.

 

If you want more help I am available to tutor many subjects.