Comparing Negative Numbers and Inequalities on the Number Line

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational math video guides students through the process of evaluating inequalities involving negative numbers using a number line. The lesson begins with abstract algebraic reasoning, testing statements about variables positioned on a number line to determine if they are true or false. The host systematically breaks down complex inequality statements into smaller, verifiable parts, demonstrating how to compare integers like -5, -2, and 0. The second half of the video applies these concepts to a real-world word problem involving temperature constraints for an ice climbing trip. Students learn how to translate verbal conditions (e.g., "keep him warm down to -8 degrees") into mathematical inequalities. The video models how to test multiple data points against two simultaneous constraints to find a solution that satisfies both conditions. This resource is highly valuable for bridging the gap between abstract integer comparison and practical application. It visually reinforces that numbers further left on the number line are smaller, a common point of confusion for students learning negative numbers. Teachers can use this video to introduce inequality notation, demonstrate how to check work by substituting values, and show the relevance of math in planning and safety scenarios.