15/03/2026
What Are Integers?
Integers are whole numbers that can be positive, negative, or zero. They do not include fractions or decimals.
Examples of integers include:
Negative integers: -5, -4, -3, -2, -1
Zero: 0
Positive integers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Students learn about integers because they help describe many real-life situations such as temperature, money, elevation, and gains or losses.
Why Do Students Learn Integers Using a Number Line?
A number line helps students visualise how numbers relate to each other.
Imagine a straight line:
⬅️ -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 ➡️
Using a number line helps students understand that:
• Numbers increase as you move to the right
• Numbers decrease as you move to the left
• Negative numbers are less than zero
• The distance between numbers is equal
This visual model also helps students learn operations such as addition and subtraction with positive and negative numbers.
For example:
If you start at 2 and move 3 steps left, you land on -1.
But Why Is This Important?
Learning integers builds the foundation for many later maths topics, including:
* algebra
* coordinate graphs
* problem solving with positive and negative values
The number line makes an abstract idea easier to see, understand, and practise, which is why teachers often introduce integers this way. 📏