Ascending and Descending directed numbers

By Lisa Mahon

Directed numbers and the number line

As you move to the right on the number line, the numbers get bigger.

As you move to the left, the numbers get smaller.

Descending

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Ascending

Arrange numbers in order from smallest to largest

-5 -9 5 3 -4 0 8

ascending

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 smallest

to

largest

-9, -5, -4, 0, 3, 5, 8

Arrange numbers in order from largest to smallest

-5 -9 5 3 -4 0 8

descending

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 smallest to largest

8, 5, 3, 0, -4, -5, -9

Directed numbers are needed to represent temperatures, as sometimes readings involve negative numbers.

A negative sign (-) indicates that the temperature is less than zero (0C). A positive sign (+) indicates that the temperature is greater than zero. Positive numbers may be written without the sign. So + 10 is the same as 10.

Directed numbers are needed to represent temperatures, as sometimes readings involve negative numbers.
A negative sign (-) indicates that the temperature is less than zero (0C). A positive sign (+) indicates that the temperature is greater than zero. Positive numbers may be written without the sign. So + 10 is the same as 10.

Plot the temperature of - 3C?

-3C means the temperature is 3C colder than zero (0C).

Write the temperature shown on each thermometer:

The pink line is above zero, therefore, a positive number.

The answer is 7

Write the temperature shown on each thermometer:

The pink line is below zero, therefore, a negative number.

The answer is -2

Placing integers on the number line

Plot these numbers (integers) on the number line
-9 -3 2 7

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9