• Describe negative numbers, giving illustrations of their use in calculations.
• Provide examples showing the meaning of negative numbers in real-life situations.
• Use the number line to provide a context for negative numbers.
• Provide entertaining lesson material with opportunities for further exploration.
• Demonstrate a practical problem-solving approach.

After watching the programme, students should:

• Appreciate that the number line can be extended indefinitely below zero.
• Know that a number that is less than zero is called negative (and a number greater than zero is called positive).
• Understand the ideas of ‘greater than’ and ‘less than’ in the context of directed numbers and positions on the number line.
• Understand that calculation with positive and negative (directed) numbers is an extension of calculation with positive numbers.
• Be aware that the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division can be applied to directed numbers, and have some understanding of how the arithmetic of directed numbers works.
• Recognise that directed numbers arise in real-life contexts, such as owing money.