11 plus negative numbers practice
21 October 2026
Understanding negative numbers
Negative numbers are numbers less than zero. They are written with a minus sign, like -3 or -10. You might see them in questions about temperature, money, or below sea level.
Why negative numbers matter for 11 plus
Children need to work confidently with negative numbers in the 11 plus. Questions may ask them to add or subtract negative numbers, or to compare values below zero.
Worked example: adding negative numbers
Let's add -3 + (-5).
Start at -3 on the number line.
Adding -5 means moving 5 places further left, making the number smaller.
-3 plus -5 takes you to -8.
The answer is -8.
Key insight: Use a number line
Encourage your child to draw a number line when working with negative numbers. This helps them see how moving left or right changes the value, making mistakes less likely.
