NCERT Class 6 Mathematics Ganita Prakash: Chapter 10 — The Other Side of Zero
This chapter, 'Integers' from NCERT's Class 6 Mathematics Ganita Prakash, introduces the concept of numbers beyond zero. It revisits counting numbers, the significance of zero, and fractions. The chapter poses the question of whether numbers less than zero exist, extending the number line concept. It uses the analogy of a multi-storied building with floors below ground level and a lift with '+' (up) and '–' (down) buttons to illustrate positive and negative movements. Students learn to represent these movements using positive and negative integers, like +2 for going up two floors and -2 for going down two floors. This foundational understanding prepares students for further mathematical concepts involving negative numbers, crucial for CBSE learning.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | Mathematics |
| Book | Ganita Prakash |
| Chapter | Chapter 10 — The Other Side of Zero |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 521 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of numbers less than zero.
- Represent movements above and below a reference point using positive and negative numbers.
- Relate real-world scenarios to the idea of integers.
- Recognize the extension of the number line to include negative numbers.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Integers | A set of whole numbers and their negatives, including zero. |
| Counting numbers | The numbers used for counting: 1, 2, 3,... |
| Zero | The number representing nothing; the origin on a number line. |
| Fractions | Numbers that represent a part of a whole, like 1/2 or 3/2. |
| Number line | A line with numbers placed at intervals, used to visualize numbers and their relationships. |
| Positive numbers | Numbers greater than zero. |
| Negative numbers | Numbers less than zero. |
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Practice questions
- What do we call numbers that come before 0 and are less than 0? Answer: Negative numbers (or Integers less than zero).
- If pressing the '+' button once takes you up one floor, what does pressing it twice mean? Answer: Going up two floors.
- What does pressing the '–' button three times represent? Answer: Going down three floors.
- What is the number that represents nothing? Answer: Zero (0).
Frequently asked questions
What are integers in mathematics?
Integers are whole numbers and their negatives, including zero. They extend the number line in both positive and negative directions.
What is the significance of zero?
Zero represents nothing and is a crucial point on the number line, separating positive and negative numbers. It has a rich history in Indian mathematics.
How can we represent going up or down floors using numbers?
Going up can be represented by positive numbers (e.g., +2 for two floors up), and going down by negative numbers (e.g., -3 for three floors down).
What is a number line?
A number line is a visual representation of numbers, typically a straight line with numbers marked at intervals. It can be extended to include negative numbers.
Are there numbers less than zero?
Yes, these are called negative numbers, and they are represented to the left of zero on the number line.
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 6 Mathematics — Ganita Prakash — Chapter 10 — The Other Side of Zero. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.