miinusluku

Miinusluku, also known as a negative number, is a real number that is less than zero. On the number line, negative numbers are located to the left of zero. They are the opposite of positive numbers. For example, -5 is the negative counterpart of 5. The symbol used to denote a negative number is a hyphen or minus sign placed before the numeral.

Miinusluvut are crucial in various mathematical concepts and real-world applications. They are used to represent quantities that are below a reference point, such as temperature below freezing, debt, or a deficit. In arithmetic, operations involving negative numbers follow specific rules. For instance, adding a negative number is equivalent to subtracting its positive counterpart, and multiplying or dividing two negative numbers results in a positive number.

The concept of negative numbers extends to more advanced mathematical fields like algebra, where they are essential for solving equations and representing variables. The set of all integers, including positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero, is denoted by the symbol Z. The development of negative numbers was a significant step in the evolution of mathematics, allowing for a more complete and consistent system of numbers.