Class 6 Maths – Chapter: The Other Side of Zero
1. Introduction
“The Other Side of Zero” introduces students to negative numbers, their representation, and operations with them. It builds the foundation for understanding integers in daily life, such as temperatures below zero, bank debts, and elevations below sea level.
2. Key Concepts
- Positive Numbers – Numbers greater than 0
- Example: 1, 2, 5
- Negative Numbers – Numbers less than 0
- Example: -1, -5, -10
- Zero (0) – Neither positive nor negative
- Acts as a separator between positive and negative numbers
3. Representation on a Number Line
- Zero is at the center
- Positive numbers → to the right of zero
- Negative numbers → to the left of zero
Example:
… -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 …
4. Comparing Integers
- Numbers to the right are always greater
- Numbers to the left are smaller
Examples:
- -2 < 0 < 3
- -5 < -1
5. Operations with Negative Numbers
- Addition
- Same sign → Add and keep sign
- Different signs → Subtract smaller from larger, take sign of larger
Examples:
- (-3) + (-2) = -5
- 5 + (-3) = 2
- Subtraction
- Subtracting a number → Add its opposite
Example:
- 5 – (-3) = 5 + 3 = 8
- Multiplication
- Same sign → Positive
- Different sign → Negative
Examples:
- (-2) × (-3) = 6
- (-2) × 3 = -6
- Division
- Same rule as multiplication
6. Real-life Applications
- Bank balance: +500 (credit), -200 (debt)
- Temperature: 5°C, -2°C
- Elevation: +100 m (above sea level), -50 m (below sea level)
7. Practice Questions (50 Mixed)
Part A – MCQs – 15 Questions
- Which is negative: 5, -7, 0, 3?
- Which is positive: -2, 0, 6, -9?
- Zero is …
- Which is greater: -3 or -5?
- Which is smaller: 2 or -1?
- -4 + 3 = ?
- 5 + (-7) = ?
- -3 + (-6) = ?
- 8 – (-5) = ?
- -6 – 4 = ?
- (-2) × (-3) = ?
- 4 × (-5) = ?
- -12 ÷ 3 = ?
- -15 ÷ (-5) = ?
- Opposite of -7 = ?
Part B – Fill in the Blanks – 10 Questions
- Number to the left of 0 are called ___
- Number to the right of 0 are called ___
- Zero is ___
- -2 + 5 = ___
- 7 – (-3) = ___
- -6 × (-2) = ___
- -8 ÷ 2 = ___
- 5 – 0 = ___
- -3 + 0 = ___
- Opposite of 10 = ___
Part C – True/False – 5 Questions
- -5 > -2 (False)
- 0 is positive (False)
- (-3) + (-2) = -5 (True)
- -4 × 3 = -12 (True)
- 7 – (-7) = 0 (False)
Part D – Match the Following – 5 Questions
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 31. -5 + 3 | a) -2 |
| 32. 7 + (-10) | b) -3 |
| 33. -4 × 2 | c) -8 |
| 34. -12 ÷ (-3) | d) 4 |
| 35. Opposite of -9 | e) 9 |
Part E – Short Answer / Problem Solving – 15 Questions
- Draw a number line showing -5 to 5
- Compare -7 and 2
- Compare -4 and -9
- Add: -6 + 8
- Add: 7 + (-5)
- Add: -3 + (-7)
- Subtract: 5 – (-3)
- Subtract: -4 – 6
- Multiply: -3 × 5
- Multiply: -6 × (-2)
- Divide: -12 ÷ 4
- Divide: -20 ÷ (-5)
- Write the opposite of 15
- Write the opposite of -8
- Real-life example of negative numbers
Answers – Class 6 Maths: The Other Side of Zero
Part A – MCQs (Answers)
- -7
- 6
- Neither positive nor negative
- -3 > -5
- -1 < 2
- -4 + 3 = -1
- 5 + (-7) = -2
- -3 + (-6) = -9
- 8 – (-5) = 13
- -6 – 4 = -10
- (-2) × (-3) = 6
- 4 × (-5) = -20
- -12 ÷ 3 = -4
- -15 ÷ (-5) = 3
- Opposite of -7 = 7
Part B – Fill in the Blanks (Answers)
- Negative numbers
- Positive numbers
- Neither positive nor negative
- -2 + 5 = 3
- 7 – (-3) = 10
- -6 × (-2) = 12
- -8 ÷ 2 = -4
- 5 – 0 = 5
- -3 + 0 = -3
- Opposite of 10 = -10
Part C – True/False (Answers)
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
Part D – Match the Following (Answers)
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 31. -5 + 3 | a) -2 |
| 32. 7 + (-10) | b) -3 |
| 33. -4 × 2 | c) -8 |
| 34. -12 ÷ (-3) | d) 4 |
| 35. Opposite of -9 | e) 9 |
Part E – Short Answer / Problem Solving (Answers)
- Number line from -5 to 5:
… -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … - Compare -7 and 2 → -7 < 2
- Compare -4 and -9 → -4 > -9
- -6 + 8 = 2
- 7 + (-5) = 2
- -3 + (-7) = -10
- 5 – (-3) = 5 + 3 = 8
- -4 – 6 = -10
- -3 × 5 = -15
- -6 × (-2) = 12
- -12 ÷ 4 = -3
- -20 ÷ (-5) = 4
- Opposite of 15 = -15
- Opposite of -8 = 8
- Real-life example of negative numbers: Temperature -2°C, Bank overdraft -500₹, Elevation 50 m below sea level