Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Locate positive and negative numbers on the number line
- Order positive and negative numbers
- Find opposites
- Simplify expressions with absolute value
- Translate word phrases to expressions with integers
Be Prepared 3.1
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
Plot on a number line.
If you missed this problem, review Example 1.1.
Be Prepared 3.2
Fill in the appropriate symbol:
If you missed this problem, review Example 2.3.
Locate Positive and Negative Numbers on the Number Line
Do you live in a place that has very cold winters? Have you ever experienced a temperature below zero? If so, you are already familiar with negative numbers. A negative number is a number that is less than Very cold temperatures are measured in degrees below zero and can be described by negative numbers. For example, (read as “negative one degree Fahrenheit”) is below A minus sign is shown before a number to indicate that it is negative. Figure 3.2 shows which is below
Temperatures are not the only negative numbers. A bank overdraft is another example of a negative number. If a person writes a check for more than he has in his account, his balance will be negative.
Elevations can also be represented by negative numbers. The elevation at sea level is Elevations above sea level are positive and elevations below sea level are negative. The elevation of the Dead Sea, which borders Israel and Jordan, is about below sea level, so the elevation of the Dead Sea can be represented as See Figure 3.3.
Depths below the ocean surface are also described by negative numbers. A submarine, for example, might descend to a depth of Its position would then be as labeled in Figure 3.4.
Both positive and negative numbers can be represented on a number line. Recall that the number line created in Add Whole Numbers started at and showed the counting numbers increasing to the right as shown in Figure 3.5. The counting numbers on the number line are all positive. We could write a plus sign, before a positive number such as or but it is customary to omit the plus sign and write only the number. If there is no sign, the number is assumed to be positive.
Now we need to extend the number line to include negative numbers. We mark several units to the left of zero, keeping the intervals the same width as those on the positive side. We label the marks with negative numbers, starting with at the first mark to the left of at the next mark, and so on. See Figure 3.6.
The arrows at either end of the line indicate that the number line extends forever in each direction. There is no greatest positive number and there is no smallest negative number.
Manipulative Mathematics
Doing the Manipulative Mathematics activity "Number Line-part 2" will help you develop a better understanding of integers.
Example 3.1
Plot the numbers on a number line:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
Solution
Draw a number line. Mark in the center and label several units to the left and right.
- ⓐ To plot start at and count three units to the right. Place a point as shown in Figure 3.7.
- ⓑ To plot start at and count three units to the left. Place a point as shown in Figure 3.8.
- ⓒ To plot start at and count two units to the left. Place a point as shown in Figure 3.9.
Try It 3.1
Plot the numbers on a number line.
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
Try It 3.2
Plot the numbers on a number line.
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓐ
Order Positive and Negative Numbers
We can use the number line to compare and order positive and negative numbers. Going from left to right, numbers increase in value. Going from right to left, numbers decrease in value. See Figure 3.10.
Just as we did with positive numbers, we can use inequality symbols to show the ordering of positive and negative numbers. Remember that we use the notation (read is less than ) when is to the left of on the number line. We write (read is greater than ) when is to the right of on the number line. This is shown for the numbers and in Figure 3.11.
The numbers lines to follow show a few more examples.
ⓐ
is to the right of on the number line, so
is to the left of on the number line, so
ⓑ
is to the left of on the number line, so
is to the right of on the number line, so
ⓒ
is to the right of on the number line, so
is to the left of on the number line, so
Example 3.2
Order each of the following pairs of numbers using or
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Solution
Begin by plotting the numbers on a number line as shown in Figure 3.12.
ⓐ Compare 14 and 6. | |
14 is to the right of 6 on the number line. |
ⓑ Compare −1 and 9. | |
−1 is to the left of 9 on the number line. |
ⓒ Compare −1 and −4. | |
−1 is to the right of −4 on the number line. |
ⓓ Compare 2 and −20. | |
2 is to the right of −20 on the number line. |
Try It 3.3
Order each of the following pairs of numbers using or
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Try It 3.4
Order each of the following pairs of numbers using or
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Find Opposites
On the number line, the negative numbers are a mirror image of the positive numbers with zero in the middle. Because the numbers and are the same distance from zero, they are called opposites. The opposite of is and the opposite of is as shown in Figure 3.13(a). Similarly, and are opposites as shown in Figure 3.13(b).
Opposite
The opposite of a number is the number that is the same distance from zero on the number line, but on the opposite side of zero.
Example 3.3
Find the opposite of each number:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Solution
- ⓐ The number is the same distance from as but on the opposite side of So is the opposite of as shown in Figure 3.14.
- ⓑ The number is the same distance from as , but on the opposite side of So is the opposite of as shown in Figure 3.15.
Try It 3.5
Find the opposite of each number:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Try It 3.6
Find the opposite of each number:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Opposite Notation
Just as the same word in English can have different meanings, the same symbol in algebra can have different meanings. The specific meaning becomes clear by looking at how it is used. You have seen the symbol in three different ways.
Between two numbers, the symbol indicates the operation of subtraction. We read as 10 minus . |
|
In front of a number, the symbol indicates a negative number. We read as negative eight. |
|
In front of a variable or a number, it indicates the opposite. We read as the opposite of . |
|
Here we have two signs. The sign in the parentheses indicates that the number is negative 2. The sign outside the parentheses indicates the opposite. We read as the opposite of |
Opposite Notation
means the opposite of the number
The notation is read the opposite of
Example 3.4
Simplify:
Solution
The opposite of is |
Try It 3.7
Simplify:
Try It 3.8
Simplify:
Integers
The set of counting numbers, their opposites, and is the set of integers.
Integers
Integers are counting numbers, their opposites, and zero.
We must be very careful with the signs when evaluating the opposite of a variable.
Example 3.5
Evaluate
- ⓐ when
- ⓑ when
Solution
ⓐ To evaluate when , substitute for . | |
Simplify. |
ⓑ To evaluate when , substitute for . | |
Simplify. |
Try It 3.9
Evaluate
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Try It 3.10
Evaluate:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Simplify Expressions with Absolute Value
We saw that numbers such as and are opposites because they are the same distance from on the number line. They are both five units from The distance between and any number on the number line is called the absolute value of that number. Because distance is never negative, the absolute value of any number is never negative.
The symbol for absolute value is two vertical lines on either side of a number. So the absolute value of is written as and the absolute value of is written as as shown in Figure 3.16.
Absolute Value
The absolute value of a number is its distance from on the number line.
The absolute value of a number is written as
Example 3.6
Simplify:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
Solution
ⓐ | |
3 is 3 units from zero. |
ⓑ | |
−44 is 44 units from zero. |
ⓒ | |
0 is already at zero. |
Try It 3.11
Simplify:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Try It 3.12
Simplify:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
We treat absolute value bars just like we treat parentheses in the order of operations. We simplify the expression inside first.
Example 3.7
Evaluate:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Solution
ⓐ To find when | |
Take the absolute value. |
ⓑ To find when | |
Simplify. | |
Take the absolute value. |
ⓒ To find when | |
Take the absolute value. |
ⓓ To find when | |
Take the absolute value. |
Notice that the result is negative only when there is a negative sign outside the absolute value symbol.
Try It 3.13
Evaluate:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Try It 3.14
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Example 3.8
Fill in for each of the following:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Solution
To compare two expressions, simplify each one first. Then compare.
ⓐ | |
Simplify. | |
Order. |
ⓑ | |
Simplify. | |
Order. |
ⓒ | |
Simplify. | |
Order. |
ⓓ | |
Simplify. | |
Order. |
Try It 3.15
Fill in
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Try It 3.16
Fill in for each of the following:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Absolute value bars act like grouping symbols. First simplify inside the absolute value bars as much as possible. Then take the absolute value of the resulting number, and continue with any operations outside the absolute value symbols.
Example 3.9
Simplify:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Solution
For each expression, follow the order of operations. Begin inside the absolute value symbols just as with parentheses.
ⓐ | |
|9−3| | |
Simplify inside the absolute value sign. | |6| |
Take the absolute value. | 6 |
ⓑ | |
4|−2| | |
Take the absolute value. | 4⋅2 |
Multiply. | 8 |
Try It 3.17
Simplify:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Try It 3.18
Simplify:
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Example 3.10
Simplify:
Solution
For each expression, follow the order of operations. Begin inside the absolute value symbols just as with parentheses.
|8+7|−|5+6| | |
Simplify inside each absolute value sign. | |15|−|11| |
Subtract. | 4 |
Try It 3.19
Simplify:
Try It 3.20
Simplify:
Example 3.11
Simplify:
Solution
We use the order of operations. Remember to simplify grouping symbols first, so parentheses inside absolute value symbols would be first.
Simplify in the parentheses first. | |
Multiply . | |
Subtract inside the absolute value sign. | |
Take the absolute value. | |
Subtract. |
Try It 3.21
Simplify:
Try It 3.22
Simplify:
Translate Word Phrases into Expressions with Integers
Now we can translate word phrases into expressions with integers. Look for words that indicate a negative sign. For example, the word negative in “negative twenty” indicates So does the word opposite in “the opposite of
Example 3.12
Translate each phrase into an expression with integers:
- ⓐ the opposite of positive fourteen
- ⓑ the opposite of
- ⓒ negative sixteen
- ⓓ two minus negative seven
Solution
- ⓐ the opposite of fourteen
- ⓑ the opposite of −11
- ⓒ negative sixteen
- ⓓ two minus negative seven
Try It 3.23
Translate each phrase into an expression with integers:
- ⓐ the opposite of positive nine
- ⓑ the opposite of
- ⓒ negative twenty
- ⓓ eleven minus negative four
Try It 3.24
Translate each phrase into an expression with integers:
- ⓐ the opposite of negative nineteen
- ⓑ the opposite of twenty-two
- ⓒ negative nine
- ⓓ negative eight minus negative five
As we saw at the start of this section, negative numbers are needed to describe many real-world situations. We’ll look at some more applications of negative numbers in the next example.
Example 3.13
Translate into an expression with integers:
- ⓐ The temperature is below zero.
- ⓑ The football team had a gain of
- ⓒ The elevation of the Dead Sea is below sea level.
- ⓓ A checking account is overdrawn by
Solution
Look for key phrases in each sentence. Then look for words that indicate negative signs. Don’t forget to include units of measurement described in the sentence.
ⓐ | The temperature is 12 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. |
Below zero tells us that 12 is a negative number. |
ⓑ | The football team had a gain of 3 yards. |
A gain tells us that 3 is a positive number. | yards |
ⓒ | The elevation of the Dead Sea is 1,302 feet below sea level. |
Below sea level tells us that 1,302 is a negative number. | feet |
ⓓ | A checking account is overdrawn by $40. |
Overdrawn tells us that 40 is a negative number. |
Try It 3.25
Translate into an expression with integers:
The football team had a gain of
Try It 3.26
Translate into an expression with integers:
The scuba diver was below the surface of the water.
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Section 3.1 Exercises
Practice Makes Perfect
Locate Positive and Negative Numbers on the Number Line
For the following exercises, draw a number line and locate and label the given points on that number line.
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
Order Positive and Negative Numbers on the Number Line
In the following exercises, order each of the following pairs of numbers, using or
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓓ
Find Opposites
In the following exercises, find the opposite of each number.
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
In the following exercises, simplify.
In the following exercises, evaluate.
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
Simplify Expressions with Absolute Value
In the following exercises, simplify each absolute value expression.
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓒ
In the following exercises, evaluate each absolute value expression.
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
In the following exercises, fill in to compare each expression.
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
- ⓐ
- ⓑ
In the following exercises, simplify each expression.
Translate Word Phrases into Expressions with Integers
Translate each phrase into an expression with integers. Do not simplify.
- ⓐ the opposite of
- ⓑ the opposite of
- ⓒ negative nine
- ⓓ minus negative
- ⓐ the opposite of
- ⓑ the opposite of
- ⓒ negative sixty
- ⓓ minus
a temperature of below zero
an elevation of below sea level
a football play gain of
a stock loss of
a golf score of below par
Everyday Math
Elevation The highest elevation in the United States is Mount McKinley, Alaska, at above sea level. The lowest elevation is Death Valley, California, at below sea level. Use integers to write the elevation of:
- ⓐ Mount McKinley
- ⓑ Death Valley
Extreme temperatures The highest recorded temperature on Earth is . The lowest recorded temperature is below . Use integers to write the:
- ⓐ highest recorded temperature
- ⓑ lowest recorded temperature
State budgets In June, 2011, the state of Pennsylvania estimated it would have a budget surplus of That same month, Texas estimated it would have a budget deficit of Use integers to write the budget:
- ⓐ surplus
- ⓑ deficit
College enrollments Across the United States, community college enrollment grew by students from to In California, community college enrollment declined by students from to Use integers to write the change in enrollment:
- ⓐ growth
- ⓑ decline
Writing Exercises
What are the three uses of the “−” sign in algebra? Explain how they differ.
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ If most of your checks were:
…confidently. Congratulations! You have achieved the objectives in this section. Reflect on the study skills you used so that you can continue to use them. What did you do to become confident of your ability to do these things? Be specific.
…with some help. This must be addressed quickly because topics you do not master become potholes in your road to success. In math, every topic builds upon previous work. It is important to make sure you have a strong foundation before you move on. Whom can you ask for help? Your fellow classmates and instructor are good resources. Is there a place on campus where math tutors are available? Can your study skills be improved?
…no—I don’t get it! This is a warning sign and you must not ignore it. You should get help right away or you will quickly be overwhelmed. See your instructor as soon as you can to discuss your situation. Together you can come up with a plan to get you the help you need.