Negative numbers

Many children initially look at the calculation 1 - 5 = ? and say 4. The need to see what is happening on a number line is paramount. ‘Negative numbers’ is a ten-page app introducing pupils (age 9-13) to the need to extend their knowledge of number beyond the positive counting numbers. If you wish to try out some of these pages first, please see ‘Negative numbers - starter’, a three-page, no charge mini-app providing a flavour of the full app.

The first three pages of this set aim to give the pupil a picture of what is happening when we add and subtract positive and negative numbers.

The next three pages give the pupil an opportunity to demonstrate that they have learnt how to add and subtract positive and negative numbers, by picturing the calculation on a number line.

The next group of two pages turn to the slightly more complicated topic of multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers, offering the pupil endless questions to demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge.

The ninth page then combines everything learnt to date and presents calculations that require the pupil to respect the rules that prioritise multiplication and division over addition and subtraction. i.e. this is an early introduction to the fuller title ‘BIDMAS’ which explains the meaning of all six operations.

Finally, the last and tenth page explains the meaning and importance of the words sum, difference, product and quotient in mathematics. This is a highly flexible page offering many different ways of consolidating our understanding of everything that has gone before in this title. We are confident that you will have a lot of fun and that you will learn a great deal in using these pages.

Age range: 9-13

PAGES INCLUDED
number line
number line: addition
number line: subtraction
add and subtract: drag them
add and subtract two numbers: question cards
add and subtract three numbers: question cards
multiply and divide: drag them
multiply and divide: question cards
four operations: question cards
sum (+) difference (-) product (x) quotient (÷)