Directed numbers are numbers that can be positive or negative. They are used to represent values with direction, such as temperature, height above or below sea level, profit and loss, or movement on a number line.

Positive numbers are greater than zero, while negative numbers are less than zero. Zero itself is neither positive nor negative.

Directed numbers are often shown on a number line. Numbers increase as you move to the right and decrease as you move to the left. This helps when comparing and ordering values.

When ordering directed numbers, remember:

• Positive numbers are always greater than negative numbers
• Among negative numbers, the number closer to zero is larger
  (for example, −2 is greater than −5)

You should be able to:

• Understand what positive and negative numbers represent
• Use directed numbers in real-life contexts
• Order directed numbers from smallest to largest or vice versa

A clear understanding of directed numbers is essential for later work with calculations, graphs, and problem-solving involving negatives.