🧊 Maths adventure

Numbers Below Zero

You already know 0, 1, 2, 3… But did you know there are numbers below zero too?

0 -3 +3 colder ◀ ▶ warmer

Numbers with a little minus sign in front, like -3, are called negative numbers. They show things that are less than nothing — like being cold or owing money.

Tap Next to explore. Let's go! 🚀

Colder Than Zero 🌡️

On a thermometer, is freezing. Go warmer and numbers go up (+). Go colder and numbers drop below zero (-).

+5°
a cool morning
Try cooling it all the way below zero!

Both Sides of Zero

Zero sits in the middle. Negatives go left, positives go right. Tap the number I ask for!

 

Notice: the further left you go, the smaller the number. So -5 is smaller than -1!

Owing Money = Negative 💰

Imagine your pocket money. If you have money, that's a positive number. If you owe a friend, that's a negative number!

🙂
💵💵💵
+$3
You have $3. Lucky you!

Spend more than you have and your balance goes below zero — that means you owe money!

Above or Below Zero? ✋

Drag each card into the right box. Money you owe and temperatures below freezing are negative.

⬇️ Below zero (−)

⬆️ Above zero (+)

 

Counting Down Past Zero

When you take away more than you have, just keep counting past zero into the negatives.

You have $2. You buy a snack for $5.

Step down one dollar at a time. Tap Step −1 and watch!

$2
$2 in your pocket 👍

Your Turn to Decide 🧠

Lin owes her brother $4. Which number shows how much money Lin has?

🧒 ➜ 🧑 $4
Owing means below zero. Which one is that?

🎉 You're a Negative Number Star!

Look how much you learned today:

Next time it's cold, or you lend a friend a coin, you'll spot negative numbers in real life. Well done! 🌟