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Lesson 3 of 17
  • Year 7

Checking and securing understanding of negative numbers in context

I can interpret negative numbers in context and can think about negative numbers without context.

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Lesson 3 of 17
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  • Year 7

Checking and securing understanding of negative numbers in context

I can interpret negative numbers in context and can think about negative numbers without context.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Negative numbers are present in everyday life.
  2. Negative numbers exist as they represent values below an agreed zero.
  3. It can help to think of a context when doing a calculation.

Keywords

  • Integer - An integer is any positive or negative whole number or zero. E.g. -2, 0, 153 are all examples of integers.

Common misconception

That the difference between 3 & -9 is 6 and not 12.

In the early stages of the negative numbers work the use of number lines to highlight misconceptions can be very powerful.


To help you plan your year 7 maths lesson on: Checking and securing understanding of negative numbers in context, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

When introducing the idea of negative numbers in a context ask the class for their ideas. Lots of sport references can be made which may appeal to different members of your class, e.g. golf scores, goal difference in many sports.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Numbers which are greater than zero are called __________ numbers.

decimal
fraction
integer
negative
Correct answer: positive

Q2.
Select all the correct statements.

Correct answer: 6 < 7
6 > 7
Correct answer: 3.2 > 2.4
3.2 < 2.4

Q3.
Alex thinks of a number. It is 4 away from 10. Select the numbers which Alex could be thinking of.

4
Correct answer: 6
10
Correct answer: 14
18

Q4.
Laura borrows £27 from her mum. She pays her mum back £15. How much does Laura still owe her mum? £

Correct Answer: 12, £12, 12.00, £12.00

Q5.
15 is halfway between two numbers. What could the two numbers be?

Correct answer: 10 and 20
8 and 23
12 and 19
Correct answer: 0 and 30

Q6.
Complete the statement. is halfway between 8 and 18.

Correct Answer: 13, thirteen

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Select all the integers.

Correct answer: -3
-3.3
Correct answer: 0
0.33
Correct answer: 33

Q2.
Select all of the correct statements.

-3 < -5
-5 > - 3
Correct answer: -3 > -5
-4 > -1
Correct answer: -4 < -1

Q3.
Starting with the lowest temperature, put these temperatures in order from coldest to warmest.

1 - -5$$^\circ $$C
2 - -2$$^\circ $$C
3 - -1$$^\circ$$C
4 - 0$$^\circ$$C
5 - 2$$^\circ$$C
6 - 7$$^\circ $$C

Q4.
The temperature in Quebec is -12$$^\circ $$C. It is 5$$^\circ$$C warmer in Manchester. What is the temperature in Manchester?

-17$$^\circ $$C
Correct answer: -7$$^\circ $$C
-5$$^\circ $$C
5$$^\circ$$C
7$$^\circ $$C

Q5.
Andeep has a balance of £2.50 at the school canteen. He buys a sandwich for £1.95, some grapes for 85p and some fruit juice for £1.05. What is Andeep's new balance?

-£3.85
Correct answer: -£1.35
£1.35
£3.85

Q6.
A submarine is 250 metres below sea level. The submarine rises 120 metres and then dives down 330 metres. The submarine is now metres below sea level.

Correct Answer: 460, 460m, 460 m, 460 metres