Positive Numbers — Definition & Examples

Positive Number Example Problems and Extensions

We're going to dive into to some example problems based around positive numbers, but I recommend that you first check out some explanations on positive numbers, negative numbers, and brush up on your basic operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing).

These problems are just for practice, don't worry if you get them wrong! There are explanations after every problem given here.

Example 1: Theory

Some questions are going to be looking for your understanding of numbers.

The only set that has only positive numbers is the set $2,7,19,26$. You might think that $0,4,10,13$ has all positive numbers, but $0$ is neither positive or negative.

Example 2: More Theory

Some will want you to understand number sets (whole, natural, rational, etc.) rather than singular numbers.

Remember that whole numbers include $0$ which is neither positive nor negative, and both integers and rational numbers include both positive and negative numbers. Natural numbers are the only set given here that only have positive numbers.

Example 3: Operations

Basic operations go hand in hand with positive (and negative) numbers, and some problems are going to ask you about the outcomes of using basic operations with various numbers.

The only one of these operations that won't always give you a positive number is subtracting a positive number from another positive number. For instance, you could subtract $20$ from $10$ and get a negative number. $$10-20=-10$$

Example 4: Word Problems

Word problems can be used for extensions in any math topic! Like always, these problems will give you some context to use as a framework but require you to figure out how to get to the answer on your own.

Let's go through each option.

Liza could theoretically own $0$ boots, even if she has owned boots her entire life, she could easily have no boots for a period of time.

Any explanation that is published has to have words in it. A blank explanation would have no educational value!

A full water bottle has some amount of water in it, so this is a positive number.

During work hours, there will always be people in the Expii office, but there are plenty of hours of the day that are not during work hours, and there wouldn't be anyone here during that time.

Wrap-Up

Just about any kind of problem can be related to positive numbers as they are part of the basis of math. You will be able to solve any of these problems once you get the theory around positive numbers and can combine them with other topics you've learned through your math education.

Positive Numbers

The positive numbers are the numbers that are greater than zero. Zero is neither positive nor negative.

So, numbers like $\frac34$, $\pi$, $3$, $8.9$, and $1{,}455{,}234$ are all positive numbers because they're larger than zero. The ticks are on the numbers $1, 2, 3, 4, 5, \cdots$. These are the natural numbers. They are also called the counting numbers.

Positive Numbers

Positive numbers are numbers that are greater than zero. On a number line, they appear to the right of zero...

Positive numbers can be integers, fractions, irrational numbers, etc. As long as they're greater than zero!

Remember, zero is NOT a positive number! Zero is neither positive nor negative.