Answer to Question #114173 in Algebra for Lesego

Question

Use a measurement context and financial context to introduce integers to a grade 6 class

Answer 1

Answer:

The numbers 5 and -5 differ only in signs. Points with such coordinates are placed on different sides of point O and at equal distances from it. Such numbers are called opposite: the number 5 is opposite to the number -5, and the number -5 is opposite to the number 5. For each number there is only one opposite number, the number 0 is opposite to itself.

If you have money, then you have on the balance sheet, for example 5 dollars, when you have a debt, it means that your balance is -5 dollars. If you have paid the debt, you have zero on the balance.

Natural numbers, opposite numbers and the number 0 together are called integers.