--- title: "Negative Numbers" description: "Count backwards through zero to include negative numbers" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/negative-numbers-mt_vXRzMbiPff source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/negative-numbers-mt_vXRzMbiPff.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Negative Numbers Count backwards through zero to include negative numbers Subject: Mathematics · Area: Number Representation & Place Value · Ages 8 to 9 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/negative-numbers-mt_vXRzMbiPff ## Ready when they can - Count backwards from 5 through zero: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, −1, −2 … - Place negative numbers on a number line - Understand that negative numbers are less than zero and use them in context (e.g. temperature) ## Lesson: Going below zero You already know how to count forward: 1, 2, 3, and up and up. Numbers can also go the other way, below zero. When you count down past zero, you reach negative numbers. They have a small minus sign in front, like −1, −2, −3. *(drawing: Numbers to the left of zero are negative. Numbers to the right are positive.)* **Example.** Mia checks the temperature before bed. It is 2 degrees. Overnight, it drops 5 degrees. She counts back to find the new temperature: 2, 1, 0, −1, −2, −3. The temperature is now −3 degrees, three degrees below zero. **Tip.** When you count backward, do not skip over zero. After zero comes negative one, then negative two. Zero itself is the middle point, not a negative number. **Recap.** Negative numbers are less than zero. Keep counting backward through zero to reach them: 2, 1, 0, −1, −2. ## Practice 17 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Counting Within 1,000](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/counting-within-1-000-mt_M2v1A9OEuM) ## Opens up - [Negative numbers in context](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/negative-numbers-in-context-mt_1KkvzwYxbR)