Negative numbers in GL and CEM 11+ maths: what parents need to know
21 October 2026
Why negative numbers matter for the 11+
Negative numbers appear in both GL and CEM style 11+ maths exams. Understanding how to work with them gives your child an advantage, especially as questions often use real-life situations. Practising at home helps children feel comfortable and confident when they see negative numbers in the test.
What are negative numbers
Negative numbers are numbers less than zero. They are written with a minus sign, like -3 or -10. In everyday life, you might see them when the temperature drops below zero, or when a bank account is overdrawn. For example, if it is -5°C outside, it means it is five degrees below zero.
Typical 11+ question styles
GL and CEM questions often ask children to work with negative numbers on a number line, in word problems about temperature, or money. For example, a question might say: The temperature was -2°C in the morning. It dropped by 4 degrees. What is the new temperature?
Worked example: adding a negative and a positive
Calculate -3 + 7
Start at -3 on the number line.
Add 7 means move 7 steps to the right.
-3 + 7 brings you to 4.
The correct answer is 4.
Worked example: subtracting with negatives
Calculate -5 - 2
Start at -5 on the number line.
Subtract 2 means move 2 steps further to the left.
-5 - 2 brings you to -7.
The correct answer is -7.
Summary
Negative numbers can seem tricky at first, but with practice, children quickly learn how to work with them in different contexts. Using number lines and real-life examples makes the process much clearer.
Key insight: Negative numbers are a regular part of 11+ maths, especially in GL and CEM exams. Practising these questions at home helps children build confidence and avoid common mistakes on test day.
