Answer to Question #350629 in Algebra for Sandra

Question

Illustrate the steps, each time on a number line, where you will explain to a Grade 6 class how numbers can be negative and positive

Use the case of mpho who use R5 and she buys a parker of chips for R8 at the tuck shop. The next day she brings R10 to the tuck shop and buys a lolly for R2. Show how her money goes up and down and where she ends up?

Answer 1

The number line is divided into two parts on the basis of positive numbers and negative numbers.

On the number line, the positive numbers are represented on the right side of the number 0 while the negative numbers are represented on the left side of the number 0.

It is given that in the starting Mpho has R5 and she buys a packet of chips for R8 at the tuckshop. As Mpho has R5, start from the number 5 on the number line.

The packet of chips is of R8, whose price is more as compared to the amount she had. Thus, move 8 steps backward on the number line.

After moving 8 steps backward from the number 5, -3 will be the number at the number line.

It is clearly observed that her money goes down as she has less amount than the actual amount of the chips.

Now, the next day she brings R10 to the tuckshop. As a result, move 10 steps forward on the number line from -3. The resultant will be 7 on the right side of zero.

Here, the money goes up as she has brought R10 to the tuckshop and the steps taken on the number line are in the forward direction.

As she buys a lolly for R2, move 2 steps backward on the number line from 7. The resultant will be 5 on the number line.

Now, the money goes down as she ends up because she has again bought a lolly for R2 and 2 steps have been taken backward on the number line.

So, her money goes up and down after each purchase and she ends up buying a lolly for R2 that is represented as 5 on the number line.