Practical Uses of Negative Numbers You See Every Day
The relationship between the positive and negative numbers in daily life, as well as zero, is normally expressed in the form of a number line shown below:
(Image will be uploaded soon)
Numbers that appear farther to the right on the number line are greater, whole numbers that appear farther to the left are less. Thus zero appears generally in the middle of the number line, with the positive numbers to the right of the line and the negative numbers to the left of the number line.
See that a negative number having a greater magnitude is considered far less. For example, even though (positive) number 8 is bigger than (positive) 5, it is written as
8 > 5
Where a negative 8 is taken to be less than negative 5:
-8 < -5.
(Because, for example, if you have £-8, a debt of £8, you would have less after adding, say £3, to it than if you have £-5.) It follows that any negative number is a smaller amount than any positive number, so
-8 < 5 and -5 < 8.
In this article we are going to understand the importance of positive and negative numbers in daily life, how do you use negative and positive numbers in daily life, and where do we use negative numbers in our daily life.
What are Integers?
The collection of all positive as well as negative numbers including zero is referred to as integers. ⇒ Numbers such as…, - 4, - 3, - 2, - 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, … are known to be integers.
Representing Integers on the Number Line
(Image will be uploaded soon)
First, we have to draw a line and mark to some extent as 0 is there.
The points which are marked to the left side (-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6) are known as negative integers.
The points that are marked to the right (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) or (+1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6) are known as positive integers.
Addition of Integers
Positive Integer + Negative Integer
Example: (+5) + (-2) Subtract: 5 - 2 = 3 Sign of larger integer (5): + Answer: +3
Example: (-5) + (2) Subtract: 5-2 = 3 Sign of larger integer (-5): - Answer: -3
Positive Integer + Positive Integer
Example: (+5) + (+2) = +7
Add the two integers and add the positive sign.
Negative Integer + Negative Integer
Example: (-5) + (-2) = -7
Add the 2 integers and add the negative sign.
Subtraction of Integers
Rule 1: Subtracting a +ve number with a +ve number - it is just our normal subtraction.
For example, this is often what you've learned before. 6 and 3 are two positive numbers. So, solve this equation the way you usually have done before: 6 - 3 = 3.
Rule 2: Subtracting a +ve number from a -ve number - count backward starting at the negative number.
For example: Suppose, we have the problem given as -2 - 3. Using the number line, we start at -2 point.
(Image will be uploaded soon)
Now let’s count backward 3 units. Now we keep counting from the back, three spaces starting from -2 on the given number line.
(Image will be uploaded soon)
The answer is -2 - 3 = -5.
Rule 3: Subtracting a -ve number from a -ve number - A symbol which is followed by a negative sign, turns the two given signs into a symbol.
So, rather than subtracting a negative, you're adding a positive. Basically, - (-4) becomes +4, then you add the numbers.
For example, say we have the numbers -2 - -4. This would read “negative two minus negative 4”. So we’re changing the 2 negative signs into a positive, therefore the equation now becomes -2 + 4.
On the number line, it starts at -2.
(Image will be uploaded soon)
Then we move forward with 4 units: +4.
(Image will be uploaded soon)
The answer is -2 - (-4) = 2.
Use of Negative Numbers in Daily Life
Irrespective of their value, they need a broad connection to lifestyle. These numbers are widely used in different fields. Some of the real-life examples are given below.
When are negative numbers used in daily life and the use of negative numbers in daily life (Everyday Examples)?
The use of negative numbers in daily life is taken into account in many different situations.
Finance and Banking
Here’s one field where we see the use of negative numbers in daily life. Finance and banking are all about money, credit, and debit. Therefore, we'd like some numbers which help differentiate a credit amount from a debit amount. Another part is the profit and loss. All these are mathematically expressed by using positive and negative integers. If someone debited to someone it's represented by a sign. The stock exchange is another field that widely uses negative integers to point out its share price and ups and downs.
Science
Use of Negative Numbers in Daily Life is usually observed in weather broadcasting. Thermometers are vertical number lines that measure the temperature of a body also because of the temperature of a neighborhood. Meteorologists use negative numbers to point out the cold condition of a neighborhood like -15 ˚ C. Even when the blood heat goes down a negative integer is employed to represent the condition. Temperature below zero is marked with a negative sign while a temperature is above zero which is denoted with the positive sign. Other conditions that normally depend on the integers are batteries, signs, overweight, and underweight. There are many more uses of negative numbers in daily life.
In Sports
For the goal difference in context to sports such as football and hockey or to calculate the points difference in rugby football; the net run rate in cricket; golf scores relative to par are calculated in negative numbers.
Secondly for ice sports, the plus-minus in ice hockey, that is the difference in total goals scored for the team (+) and against the team (−) when a particular player is on the ice is the player's +/− rating. Here, the mates can have a negative (+/−) rating.
Run differential in baseball: the run differential is negative if the team gives away more runs than they have scored.
Lap (or sector) times in Formula 1 is calculated as the difference compared to a previous lap (or sector) (such as the previous record, or the lap just completed by a driver in front), it is calculated as positive if the previous lap is slower and negative if the previous lap is faster.
In some athletics events, such as sprint races, hurdles, the triple jump, and the long jump, the wind assistance is measured as part of the sports and recorded, and is deemed to be positive for a tailwind and negative for a headwind.
Other instances of the use of negative numbers include:
Negative storey/ floor numbers in a building elevator: The storey/floors that are below the ground floor (underground) of a building are sometimes numbered in negation.
When an audio file is played on a portable media player, such as an iPod, the screen display usually shows the time remaining (deficit time) as a negative number, which then increases up to zero at the same rate similar to the way in which time already played increases from zero.
In various television game shows, participants on QI often finish with a negative points score.
In participating teams on University Challenge, teams have a negative score if their first answers are incorrect and/or interrupt the question.
Solved Examples
Example: 1) At a given place and time, it is observed that overnight the temperature drops from 5 ºC to -14 ºC. Calculate with the help of your mathematical reasoning, by how many degrees did the temperature fall?
Ans. The temperature drop (as recorded)= 5 ºC to -15 ºC
5 -15 = 10 ⇒ 10 ºC
Therefore, the temperature fell by 10 ºC
Example: 2) Mathematically evaluate and find the predecessor values for the following integers:
A) -4
B) 16
Ans. A) By reducing one integer value across the number line, we find that the predecessor of -4 is -4 -1 = -5
B) Similarly, the predecessor value of 16 is found as 16 -1 = 15
To know more about negative numbers in the number line, log in to Vedantu and seek deeper insights for conceptual clarity. Learn how the experts explain and use these concepts to answer questions. Develop your mathematical skills regarding this topic and do better in your exams.
FAQs on How Negative Numbers Work in Everyday Life
1. What are negative numbers, and can you give some common examples from daily life?
Negative numbers are real numbers that are less than zero. They are represented with a minus sign (–). In daily life, they help us understand concepts that have an opposite or are below a starting point. Common examples include:
- Temperature: Temperatures below 0° Celsius, like –5°C in a cold region.
- Finance: A bank account with an overdraft or a debt is shown as a negative balance, e.g., –₹2000.
- Elevation: Locations below sea level, such as the Dead Sea, have a negative elevation (approx. –430 metres).
- Games: In some games, you can get negative points for incorrect answers.
2. How do you compare two negative numbers? For example, is –10 greater or less than –3?
When comparing negative numbers, the number with the smaller absolute value (the one closer to zero on the number line) is actually the greater number. On a number line, numbers increase as you move from left to right. Since –3 is to the right of –10, it means –3 is greater than –10. Think of it in terms of debt: owing ₹3 is a better financial situation than owing ₹10.
3. Is zero considered a positive or a negative number?
Zero (0) is considered a neutral number; it is neither positive nor negative. It serves as the origin or starting point on the number line, separating the positive numbers (to its right) from the negative numbers (to its left). Therefore, it does not carry a positive (+) or negative (–) sign.
4. How do positive and negative numbers help describe opposite situations in the real world?
Positive and negative numbers are perfect for representing opposite actions or values relative to a neutral starting point (zero). This relationship provides clarity in many situations:
- Movement: Moving 5 steps forward can be represented as +5, while moving 5 steps backward is –5.
- Finance: A profit of ₹500 is +500, while a loss of ₹500 is –500.
- Time: In a rocket launch countdown, T-10 seconds represents 10 seconds before launch (negative), while T+10 seconds is 10 seconds after launch (positive).
5. In finance and banking, what does a negative number on a statement represent?
In finance and banking, a negative number represents a deficit, debt, or withdrawal. For example, if your bank account shows a balance of –₹1,500, it means you have an overdraft and owe the bank ₹1,500. It signifies an amount that is less than zero, representing money that has been spent beyond what was available in the account.
6. Beyond temperature, what is another scientific context where negative numbers are essential?
Besides temperature, negative numbers are essential in describing elevation and depth. Sea level is universally accepted as the zero-point (0 m). From there:
- Anything above sea level, like a mountain peak (e.g., Mount Everest at +8,848 m), has a positive elevation.
- Anything below sea level, like the bottom of the Mariana Trench (approx. –11,000 m), has a negative elevation. This helps geologists, oceanographers, and cartographers accurately map the Earth's surface.
7. Why were negative numbers initially considered 'fictitious' by early mathematicians?
Early mathematicians found negative numbers difficult to accept because they lacked a physical, tangible representation. You can see 3 apples, but you cannot see or hold 'minus 3' apples. Concepts like a negative length or area seemed absurd. They were often called 'fictitious' or 'absurd' numbers until their practical importance was proven in contexts like representing debt in accounting and solving algebraic equations where a negative solution was unavoidable and meaningful.
8. What is the basic rule for adding a negative number to a positive number?
The basic rule is that adding a negative number is equivalent to performing subtraction. You subtract the absolute value of the negative number from the positive number. For example, to solve 12 + (–5), you simply calculate 12 – 5, which gives you 7. On a number line, you start at 12 and move 5 units to the left, landing on 7.
