Negative numbers

This course is a part of 6th grade, a 8-course Topic series from Khan Academy.

Negative numbers are a necessary part of our understanding of mathematics and the world. The idea of anything "negative" is often seen as "bad." Negative numbers are not only good, but they're fun! Walk through this tutorial with us and we'll show you how they are defined, interpreted, and applied. Absolute value is a type of negative number that is expressed as a positive. Confused? Don't be. We got your back.

This course contains 7 segments:

Intro to negative numbers

What are negative numbers? When do we use them? Where do we find them on the number line? Let's learn what happens in the world below zero!

Negative decimals & fractions on the number line

Practice finding positive and negative decimals and fractions on the number line.

Number opposites

Opposite numbers are the same distance from 0 on opposite sides of the number line. A number opposite is sometimes called an additive inverse.

Comparing negative numbers

We all know that 6 is bigger than 4, but is -6 bigger than -4? This tutorial is designed to help you compare negative numbers.

Negative symbol as opposite

Absolute value

You'll find absolute value absolutely straightforward--it is just the "distance from zero". If you have a positive number, it is its own absolute value. If you have a negative number, just make it positive to get the absolute value. As you see as you develop mathematically, this idea will eventually extended to more contexts and dimensions, so super important that you understand this core concept now. Common Core Standards: 6.NS.C.7, 6.NS.C.7c, 6.NS.C.7d

Coordinate plane

We first explored the coordinate plane in the 5th grade, but that was only dealing with positive coordinates. Now we know all about negative numbers so why not have negative coordinates as well? Let's get cozy with the x and y axis, plotting ordered pairs, quadrants, and reflection points. We got it covered. Sit back, relax, and get ready to groove with us. Common Core Standards: 6.NS.C.6, 6.NS.C.6b, 6.NS.C.6c, 6.NS.C.8