Question

Using the number line write the integer which is : 3 less than −2 ?

Answer 1

Hint: We will draw a number line with 0 in the middle, negative numbers on the left, and positive numbers on the right. Now, 3 less than -2 means we must take 3 six steps to the left, beginning with -2. The end result is where we end up.

Complete step-by-step solution:
We will draw a number line as shown below for this.
 Now, we move three steps to the left of the number -2 until we reach the number -5 as we have to find 3 less than -2.
So, our result is -5.
In these types of questions, draw a number line and list both positive and negative numbers on both sides of 0, 0 being the number line's midpoint. If we subtract a number from a specific number, we must move to the left of that number, and the number of steps moved is the same as the number subtracted. Similarly, if we subtract a number from a specific number, we must move to the right from that number, and the number of steps moved will be the same as the number subtracted. This method can also be used for multiplication and division.

Note: This is the geometrical method of calculation, but we can only use it for small numbers because we can't draw very long number lines with numbers like 100, 1000, and so on. This method also has limitations with irrational and fractional numbers, because irrational numbers are difficult to mention on a number line. Algebraic methods can be used for operations with a large number of variables.