Skill: Interpret temperature with integers

Temperature readings can be shown as integers on a number line:

• A positive integer, such as $3$, means $3$ degrees above zero.
• A negative integer, such as $-6$, means $6$ degrees below zero.
• $0$ is the reference temperature.

On a number line, numbers farther left represent lower temperatures. Numbers farther right represent higher temperatures.

Example: The temperatures in three cities are $-6^\circ$, $3^\circ$, and $-2^\circ$. Order them from coldest to warmest.

1. Locate the integers on a number line:

$$-6 \qquad -2 \qquad 0 \qquad 3$$

2. Read from left to right. The temperatures are:

$$-6^\circ,\ -2^\circ,\ 3^\circ$$

So, $-6^\circ$ is the coldest and $3^\circ$ is the warmest.

3. Compare distance from zero. The temperature $-6^\circ$ is $6$ degrees from zero, while $3^\circ$ is $3$ degrees from zero. Thus, $-6^\circ$ has the greater absolute value, but it is still the lower temperature because it is farther left on the number line.

4. The opposite of $-6^\circ$ is $6^\circ$, because $-6$ and $6$ are the same distance from zero on opposite sides.