Working with negative numbers

Working with negative numbers

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about calculations with negative numbers.
illustration: artistic collection of numbers and symbols
 
Write down the answers to each of these equations.
 
a)   i)  
⁻6 × 3 = __________
 
 You may want to use this space for working:

 
   ii)  
⁻4 × ⁻6 = __________
 
b)   i)  
⁻2 + 8 = __________
 
   ii)  
4 + ⁻9 = __________
 
c) i)
5 − 7 = __________
 
   ii)  
⁻2 − 5 = __________
 
   iii)    ⁻5 − ⁻9 = __________
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Number Strategies
Keywords: 
negative numbers, multiplication, addition, subtraction
Description of task: 
Students multiply, add, and subtract expressions with negative numbers.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Additive thinking
Multiplicative thinking, sets 8-9
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
  Y10 (05/2002)
a)   i)  
ii)		 ⁻18
24		 very easy  
easy
b) i)
ii)  		 6
⁻5		 easy
easy  
c)   i)  
ii)  
iii)		 ⁻2
⁻7
4		 easy  
moderate  
difficult

 

Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Common errors Likely calculation Likely misconception
a) i)
   ii)  
b)   i)  
  ii)
c) i)
  ii)
   iii)  

18
⁻24
⁻6
5
2
7
⁻4

6 × 3
⁻4 × 6
8 − 2  
9 − 4
7 − 5
2 + 5
9 − 5  

Incorrect sign.
b)   i)  
   ii)  
c)   ii)  
   iii)  

10 or ⁻10
13 or ⁻13
3 or ⁻3
14 or ⁻14

± (2 + 8)  
± (4 + 9)  
± (5 − 2)  
± (5 + 9)  

Ignores negative sign.