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6th grade
Course: 6th grade > Unit 5
Lesson 2: Negative symbol as oppositeNumber opposites
Learn what it means for a number to be the opposite of another number.
The opposite of a number is the number on the other side of 0 number line, and the same distance from 0.
Here are a couple of examples:
start color #e84d39, minus, 4, end color #e84d39 is the opposite of start color #1fab54, 4, end color #1fab54.
start color #1fab54, 3, end color #1fab54 is the opposite of start color #e84d39, minus, 3, end color #e84d39.
Let's practice!
Challenge problems
Use the following number line for the questions below.
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For opposite numbers I understand how A = -A;
How can A also be E?(90 votes)
A is a variable in this case, so is E. essentially, since they are the same distance from 0, and represent the same amount on the number line, E is just the hidden -A.(72 votes)
Just 10 upvotes for moon badge PLEASE I upvoted for all of you(59 votes)
i upvoted for u(18 votes)
- I'm stuck on challenge problem 2A. I would assume that if you have a 0 as the only number on the line, then anything to the left of 0 is a negative number and anything to the right of 0 is a positive. So the opposite number in the same location of A (which is a -A) reflected on the number line is the positive number E. I understand that ideally these would be represented by the same letter, just negative and positives, but I'm working with what is given and expected that the important part is the marks on the number line - not the representative letters used. Help please.(37 votes)
A is to the left of the 0 on the number line and it's represented simply as an A without a negative. One would assume this is a negative number as the A is just a label for the negative number that's supposedly on that point on the number line.
Taking what we have previously learned, A is a negative number in this case which would mean the opposite of it would be the E on the number line. How could an opposite of a negative number be negative? Unless the number line is flipped in this case?
This left me very confused as the question certainly leads to E being the correct answer.(32 votes)
- Can I plz have 10 upvotes far moon badge(43 votes)
- only do this if you want to
could I maybe get 10 votes(27 votes)
It against the rules to ask for upvotes.
If you are trying to get the badge you get when you get 10+ votes, you need to answer someone's question and if people like it, they will vote up your answer. That is how you get the badge.(27 votes)
I cannot find even a forced logic explanation for problem 2B which I could only guess at given where the 0 is on the number line. Same with 2C. Since the correct answer for problem 2A is: the opposite of A = -A, how did we arrive at A = -E and E = -A?
Mentioned below, previously given only positive letters to work with, how did a negative letter become an answer?
Using a process of elimination to arrive at a "true" answer, does not explain what is happening.
I hope someone will please shed light on how this occurs. So far, I have not found help anywhere.(25 votes)
Hi Catherine C. "Where the 0 is on the number line" is indeed the key clue -- good work noticing it! We arrive at A = -E because A and E are the same distance from 0, but in different directions. One of them is on the negative side of 0, and the other is on the positive side of 0; but they're the same distance.
So, A is the opposite of E. Which means that A is equal to -E. If it's still confusing, try watching the video again.
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/arith-review-negative-numbers/arith-review-number-opposites/v/opposite-of-a-number
If it's still confusing after that, post a reply here and, when I get the notification, I'll try to explain better.
As for negative letters -- Well, the letters are variables, standing in for a number. Since numbers can be negative, so can variables.(26 votes)
what is a "moon badge?"
pls answer <3(23 votes)
Its a badge for 10 and more upvotes(19 votes)
Hi pls 10 votes for moon badge 😁😪(28 votes)
*oh my gosh!! Why are there are sooo many people asking for votes or a badge!?!? Don't any of these people know the rules?? Heeeeyyy! People who asks for badges and votes!! I'll tell you what will happen if you don't stop asking for badges and votes!
You'll be very very very harshly punished by you're parents!! And khan acedemy will ban you permananlty if you keep doing itt!!*
WHO'S WITH ME!?(2 votes)
- I don't understand how A=-E and -A=E?(20 votes)
- 10 upvotes for moonbadge(24 votes)
