The first thing you should do is take a look at a number line.

The numbers less than zero and they have minus symbol in front of the number.......This is negative numbers
EX: -5, -10 , -1000, -3783, -838 and many more !!!

Negative numbers are an essential concept in mathematics that represents values less than zero. They are used to describe quantities that involve a decrease or a deficit. The concept of negative numbers extends the number line beyond zero, allowing for the representation of values in both directions.

Understanding Negative Numbers:
Negative numbers are introduced as a way to express values that are less than zero. On the number line, positive numbers are located to the right of zero, while negative numbers are located to the left. For example, -3 is a negative number, represented to the left of zero on the number line.

Significance of Negative Numbers:
Negative numbers play a crucial role in various mathematical operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They allow us to model real-life situations that involve debts, temperatures below zero, and other scenarios where quantities go below a reference point.

Representation:
Negative numbers are typically represented with a minus sign (-) placed before the number. For example, -5 represents a negative value of 5.

Operations with Negative Numbers:
1. Addition: When adding positive and negative numbers, we can think of it as combining quantities in opposite directions. For example, 3 + (-5) can be visualized as starting at 3 and moving 5 units to the left, resulting in -2.

2. Subtraction: Subtracting a negative number is equivalent to adding its positive counterpart. For example, 7 - (-3) can be rewritten as 7 + 3, resulting in 10.

3. Multiplication: When multiplying two negative numbers, the result is positive. For example, (-2) * (-4) equals 8. Multiplying a positive number by a negative number results in a negative value. For instance, 3 * (-6) equals -18.

4. Division: Dividing a negative number by a positive number yields a negative result. For example, (-12) ÷ 3 equals -4. Dividing a positive number by a negative number results in a negative quotient. For instance, 20 ÷ (-5) equals -4.

Applications:
Negative numbers have various real-world applications, such as:
- Representing temperatures below zero
- Describing debts or financial losses
- Calculating elevations above or below sea level
- Indicating a decrease in stock prices or temperature

Conclusion:
Understanding negative numbers is crucial for solving mathematical problems and representing real-life scenarios that involve values less than zero. They allow for the representation of quantities in both positive and negative directions, expanding the number line beyond zero. Negative numbers are used in various mathematical operations and have practical applications in fields such as finance, science, and weather forecasting.