Year 5 - Maths
Represent a change story using addition and subtraction symbols
Negative numbers
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will interpret numbers greater than and less than zero. They will read and write negative numbers, explain how the value of a number relates to its position from zero, positioning on a number line.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to represent a change story using addition and subtraction symbols.
Key Notes
- A change can be positive or negative.
- A change can be represented by a negative number.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Positive change: An overall amount has increased.
- Negative change: An overall amount has decreased.
- Negative number: Any value less than zero.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils believe that subtraction is commutative and therefore equations can be written in any order.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
A change can be positive or negative. A change can be represented by a negative number.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Positive change'
An overall amount has increased. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils believe that subtraction is commutative and therefore equations can be written in any order. Correction: Model with physical resources such as marbles in a bag that 4 - 6 results in a negative change but 6 - 4 results in a positive change.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Explain how negative numbers are used on a coordinate grid Study Guide
- Explain how the value of a number relates to its position from zero Study Guide
- Identify and place negative numbers on a number line Study Guide
- Interpret numbers greater than and less than zero in different contexts Study Guide
- Interpret sets of negative and positive numbers in a range of contexts Study Guide
- Read and write negative numbers Study Guide
- Solve problems involving positive and negative numbers in a range of contexts Study Guide
- Use knowledge of positive and negative numbers to calculate intervals Study Guide
- Use knowledge of positive and negative numbers to interpret graphs Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 5 Maths guide library.