Integers and Absolute
Values
Here is a number line.
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
0
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5
An integer is a
positive or
negative number.
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
0
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5
Positive integers are
integers greater than 0.
They can be written
without + sign.
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
0
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5
Negative integers are
integers less than 0.
They are written with a
- sign.
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
0
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5
Zero is neither negative
nor positive.
Here are some
real-world
examples…
Let’s write an integer for
each situation.
Weather: 5 degrees below
Because this weather is
below normal, the integer is
written as -5.
Let’s write an integer for
each situation.
Rainfall: 5 inches above normal
Because this rainfall is
above normal, the integer is
written as +5 or just 5.
Let’s write an integer for
each situation.
Banking: a deposit of $23
Because deposit is adding
an amount to your bank
account, it is +23 or just
23.
You can also graph
integers on a
number line.
Graph this set on a number line.
(-4, -2, 0, 5)
. . .
.
0
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
Just draw a point (or a dot) on
the location of the integer.
That’s all!
Graph this set on a number line.
.
(-5, -1, 3)
.
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
0
.
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5
You get the point, right?
Pun totally intended.
Hey, have you
noticed that -5 and
5 are each 5 units
(spaces) from 0?
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
0
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5
-5 and 5 are both 5 spaces
away from 0. They have
the same absolute value.
Absolute value of a
number is the
distance between
the number and 0
on a number line.
And it’s written like
this…
5 units
5 units
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-5 = 5
0
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5
5 =5
-5 = 5
5 =5
This means that the
absolute value of
both -5 and 5 are 5
(distance from 0).
Let’s try this one…
-4 = 4
4 units
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
0
+1 +2 +3 +4 +5
So…basically…
-560 = 560
2010 = 2010
-256,487 = 256,487
OK…I get it, I get it!
Now, you can even
do this…
-12 + 4 = 12 + 4 = 16
-5
- -1 = 5 - 1 = 4
2
+ -3 = 2 + 3 = 5
-7
- 5 = 7 - 5= 2
Good job!