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The Number System
Understanding Integers
Integers are whole numbers that can be positive, negative, or zero. • Positive integers: 1, 2, 3, 4, ... • Negative integers: -1, -2, -3, -4, ... • Zero: 0 (neither positive nor negative) The number line helps us visualize integers: ← -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 → Key concepts: • Opposite numbers: Numbers that are the same distance from zero (e.g., 3 and -3) • Absolute value: The distance from zero, always positive (e.g., |-5| = 5)
Example:
Temperature Example: • If it's 5°C and the temperature drops by 8°C, what's the new temperature? • Start at 5, move left 8 spaces: 5 - 8 = -3°C • The temperature is now 3 degrees below zero.