Opposite Integers Handout
PA_M2_S1_T2
Our set of integers consists of the combined set of whole numbers that
include all the positive counting numbers and 0 and it consists of adding
to that,the negative numbers.
When I add both of those together I get the set of integers.
On a number line I plot my integers with 0 in the middle, and I proceed
to the right to plot all the positive counting numbers and then I proceed
to the left counting out negative numbers in order from the largest
negative number, which is -1, and proceeding to the left was smaller and
smaller negative numbers. If I fold my number line from the 0 you'll see
that each whole number on the right will exactly match up with a
corresponding negative number on the left. When I see this correspondence
I'm talking about opposites.
We are talking about
how things set on
the number line are
balanced across 0.
Notice that in each
case, my number and
its opposite sit the
same distance away
from 0.
The whole number 5 has an opposite that is -5. The negative number -8
that sits here has an opposite positive 8 that sits over here.
I can say that -5 is the opposite of 5. I can also say that 8 is the
opposite of -8. If I look at 5, I am 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 units to the right of
0. -5 sits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 units away from 0.
A number and its opposite are located the same number of units away from
0, but in opposite directions.