What other things in the real world can be represented by a negative integer? Click through the slideshow below to see some other real-world applications of negative numbers.
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Temperature
Temperature can increase (positive number) or decrease (negative number). It can also be above zero (positive number) or below zero (negative number). Elevation
Like temperature, elevation can increase and decrease if you walk up or down a mountain. Also, sea level represents a zero elevation so anything below sea level would be referenced as a negative. Time
Not time as in what time it is, but what year it is. Like elevation, there is a zero reference for time measured in years. The year 0 was established as a reference; anything prior to that is called "before the common era" or B.C.E. and anything after is called "common era" or C.E. Population
While there is no zero reference for population, there are population increases (a positive number) and population decreases (a negative number). |
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Question
Can you think of any other situations that can be represented with negative numbers?
