Mathematics·Number Representation & Place Value·conceptual
Negative numbers in context
Interpret negative numbers in context (temperature, sea level, bank balance); count forwards and backwards with positive and negative whole numbers, including through zero
Suggested ages 9–10
Learning journey
Your child is working with larger numbers up to 1 million — understanding place value, rounding to different levels of accuracy, and beginning to work with negative numbers in everyday contexts.
Evidence of understanding
- Place –3, –1, 0, 2, 5 on a number line
- The temperature is –4°C and rises by 7 degrees — what is the new temperature?
- Count backwards from 3 in ones: 3, 2, 1, 0, –1, –2
Assessment prompt
If the temperature drops to −5°C overnight and rises to 3°C by day, can Negative numbers in context place both on a number line and say how many degrees warmer the daytime temperature is?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.