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Negative numbers are numbers that are less than zero. They are typically represented with a minus (-) sign in front of them, like -1, -5, or -10. These numbers can often seem daunting at first, but they are actually easy to handle once you understand a few basic rules.

When visualizing negative numbers, think of temperature scales or a bank account balance below zero. If you have a temperature of -5 degrees, it means it is five degrees below zero. Similarly, if your bank account has a balance of -10, you owe ten more than you have.

Negative numbers are found on the left side of zero on the number line. The farther left you go, the smaller the number. For example, -6 is less than -4.

Adding integers might sometimes seem like a challenge, especially when negative numbers are involved. However, thinking of it in terms of combining values on a number line can help.

When you add a negative number to another number, you actually move to the left on the number line. Understanding

• Subtracting a positive number is like adding a negative number.
• Adding a positive number moves you to the right on the number line, while adding a negative moves you to the left.

For example, when we convert \(-6 - 4\) to \(-6 + (-4)\), we treat -4 as the new addition, thus moving ten units left from zero in total.

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, without considering direction. It's like asking how far a number is from zero, ignoring whether it's to the left or right.

The absolute value is always positive or zero, because distance can't be negative. It's denoted by two vertical bars, like this: \(|-6| = 6\), \(|-4| = 4\). In scenarios that involve adding or subtracting negative numbers, knowing how to find and work with these values is crucial.

In our exercise, where we need to find \(-6 + (-4)\), we use the absolute values of 6 and 4, add them, and apply the negative sign back at the end to get \(-10\). This process highlights the importance of understanding absolute value in arithmetic.