Integers+Introduction

= **Integers are positive and negative whole numbers only.** =

Decimals and Fractions are not integers Zero is an Integer, but it is neither positive or negative. Typical integers are: -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Often the positive sign is left off positive integers. Eg. 4 is the same as +4 Zero neither has a positive or a negative sign on it. Examples of Integers in the real world are: -5 degrees below zero is a negative integer while +4000 meters above sea level on a mountain is a positive integer.

The temperature in this freezer is an integer. It is -3C



Positive and Negative Situations Integers are often called “Directed Numbers” because they indicate how big, as well as in what direction. Direction is often down or up, or left and right. The following table will help you determine whether the situation in a word problem should be represented as a “Negative” or a “Positive” number

Click on the following link for video introduction on integers. [|Integer Introduction]media type="youtube" key="RZ1ALJxAAe0" height="315" width="560"

Integers Slide Show The following slide show will take you through the basics of Integers. Click anywhere on the image below to open this presentation in a new window.

Let’s finish up with an Integers Rap song from YouTube. [|Integer Rap]media type="youtube" key="BswlX1dXL_s" height="315" width="420"

=Arranging Integers in Order=

A Number Line is very useful for working with directed number Integers.



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On a number line, NUMBERS TO THE RIGHT ARE BIGGER. NUMBERS TO THE LEFT ARE LESS THAN ones to the right.

For example: 6 is bigger than 3, but -6 is smaller than 3. We say that 6 is greater than 3, and we write this as 6 > 3

However, -6 is less than 3, and we write this as -6 < 3 Using Inequality Signs

> means greater than, or bigger than

< means less than, or smaller than. ( less than points to the left ) For the “inequality signs” THE POINTY ARROW ALWAYS POINTS TO THE SMALLER NUMBER. Eg. 2 < 4, 8 > 5, -4 < -1, -2 > -6

Some people also like to think of the arrow sign as looking like the mouth of a fish.



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 * Use the following rule: **

“The hungry Fish always wants to eat the bigger amount”. So the open “<” mouth of the fish always goes towards the bigger item.

NUMBERS TO THE RIGHT ARE BIGGER.

NUMBERS TO THE LEFT ARE SMALLER.

THE POINTY ARROW ALWAYS POINTS TO THE SMALLER NUMBER.

The following is a video about comparing Integers. Click on the link to go to the lesson. [|Integer Lesson] Ordering Integers Watch the following video for an explanation on ordering integers media type="youtube" key="OLKJsfWjN3Q" height="315" width="420"

Ordering Integers Worksheet The clickable link below is to a PDF document which gives you practice questions to do, as well as an answer sheet. Click here for Ordering Integers Worksheet

Ordering Integers Game In the following game, use the mouse to place the three red integer numbers in order, onto the carriages and the train engine. The biggest number always goes onto the steam engine.

It is very important to place the numbers exactly in the middle of the carriages and engine: If your answer is correct, the train should move to the right and off the screen.

Click anywhere on the image below to launch the game in a new window. Note that you will probably have to page down the screen a bit to get to the actual game. The following link has an online test you can do [|Integer Quiz]