Negative numbers 11 plus: a parent's guide
21 October 2026
Understanding negative numbers
Negative numbers are values less than zero. You'll see them written with a minus sign, like -5 or -10. In 11+ maths, negative numbers often appear in questions about temperature, money, or depth.
Why negative numbers matter for 11+
Children need to understand that negative numbers are not just 'smaller' than zero. They keep getting smaller as the number gets bigger in the negative direction. For example, -9 is less than -5, even though 9 is bigger than 5.
Helping your child practise
Use real-life examples to make negative numbers less confusing. Talk about temperatures below zero, or what it means to owe money. Drawing number lines together can help children see how numbers continue below zero.
Worked example
-3 + 5
Start at -3 on the number line.
Add 5 means move 5 steps to the right.
Count: -2, -1, 0, 1, 2.
The answer is 2.
Key insight: Negative numbers are not just about subtraction. They are their own values below zero, and moving between them is like travelling along a number line in both directions.
Summary
Practising negative numbers helps children feel confident tackling 11+ questions. Real-life examples and simple number lines make the topic much clearer.
