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Negatives on a number line: 6th grade math

Rational numbers on the number line; opposites; coordinate plane, four quadrants. A free 6th grade lesson plan, a question set with answers and a printable sheet with its key. Copy it and make it yours.

Lesson plan

Goal

  • Students can do this: rational numbers on the number line; opposites; coordinate plane, four quadrants.

Teach (10 min)

  • The opposite of a number is the same distance from 0 on the other side. The opposite of 7 is −7.
  • The opposite of the opposite brings you back: the opposite of −(−4) is −4.
  • Work one example on the board while students say each step aloud, then do one together.

Practise (15 min)

  • Students work the printable sheet in pairs, then alone.
  • Or practise it as a game with no sign-up: https://peabody.kids/math/rational.opposite?lesson=6-plane-opposite-1&at=6

Exit ticket (5 min)

  • Three questions on a slip:
  • 1. How far is −3 from 0 on the number line?
  • 2. The opposite of 5 is ?
  • 3. The opposite of −2 is ?

Question set

10 questions that read in words, easiest first. Questions that need a picture are on the printable sheet below.

  1. How far is −3 from 0 on the number line?
  2. The opposite of 5 is ?
  3. The opposite of −2 is ?
  4. How far is −6 from 0 on the number line?
  5. The opposite of −2 is ?
  6. How far is −9 from 0 on the number line?
  7. −(−5) = ?
  8. −(−9) = ?
  9. How far is −4 from 0 on the number line?
  10. The opposite of −12 is ?
Answers
  1. 3 units
  2. −5
  3. 2
  4. 6 units
  5. 2
  6. 9 units
  7. 5
  8. 9
  9. 4 units
  10. 12

Printable sheet

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

Negatives on a number line (6th grade)

  1. The opposite of 5 is ?
  2. |−2| = ?
  3. The opposite of 3 is ?
  4. The opposite of −9 is ?
  5. The opposite of −1 is ?
  6. The opposite of −2 is ?
  7. The opposite of −3 is ?
  8. The opposite of −6 is ?
  9. How far is −3 from 0 on the number line?
  10. −(−6) = ?
  11. The opposite of −11 is ?
  12. |−12| = ?
Key
  1. −5
  2. 2
  3. −3
  4. 9
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 6
  9. 3 units
  10. 6
  11. 11
  12. 12

Written by Peabody from its own skill pages. Free, no ads, no sign-in. Children can practise this on Peabody. More from teachers: teacher-shared resources.