Negative Numbers (Integers)

Have you ever borrowed a yummy cookie from a friend. Before you give it back, it is like you have less than a cookie. I am that feeling. I show up when things go below zero, like on a super cold, snowy day when you need your warm coat. I am the number that means you owe your friend a yummy treat. It is so nice to share. Hello. I am a Negative Number.

Long, long ago, in a place called China, smart people wanted to show when they owed something. This was around the 2nd century BCE. They had a clever idea using little sticks called counting rods. They used bright red rods for the money they had. They used dark black rods for the money they owed. If you had three red rods but owed one, you would put down one black rod. That little black rod was me. I helped everyone see what was missing and kept everything fair and friendly.

Today, you can find me everywhere you look. I am on the thermometer when it is cold enough to build a big, round snowman. Brrr. I help rockets count down for a big blast-off into the sky. Three. Two. One. Zero. Minus one. Vroom. I even help submarines know how far down they are swimming in the deep, blue sea with the fish. Even though I am less than zero, I am a hero for helping you count and understand your amazing world.