How are integers and their opposites related?
First, I think we should go over what integers mean. A clear definition of integers will lead to a discussion about opposites, which should reveal how the two are related.,Integer is another word for numbers. All of the following are integers:,1,3,67,I left out an important part, though. When writing integers, it’s important to include a plus sign (+) or minus sign (-). Integers can be positive or negative. They can’t, however, be fractions. Integers have to be whole numbers.,Let’s review the set of numbers again. If my teacher asked me to represent positive 1 as an integer, I’d write the following:,+1,If my teacher requested that I represent negative 3 as an integer, I’d write the following:,-3,If my teacher made me represent positive 67 as an integer, I’d write the following:,+67,Now, let’s bring in opposites. Opposites relate to integers because an integer’s opposite has to be the same number away from zero as the integer in question.,Say +67 is the integer in question. Its opposite has to be -67. Its opposite has to be on the other side of zero and the same amount of numbers away from zero. Likewise, the opposite of -67 is +67. +67 is on the opposite side of zero. Both -67 and +67 are 67 away from zero. Their equal distance brings them together. It makes them related.
