Relative Numbers

Relative Numbers . Also called signed numbers . They are frequently used to justify practical situations in the environment around us.

Summary

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• 1 Emergence
• 2 Relative magnitudes
• 3 Examples of relative magnitudes
• 4 Relative numbers
• 5 See also
• 6 Sources

Emergence

Relative numbers, or signed numbers, are a powerful tool for explaining a large number of situations that could hardly be interpreted in absolute terms. They are the result of the relationship of two numbers, generally the division of one by the other.
Many times when using absolute numbers it can distort the reality of what we are analyzing. This occurs when we make comparisons if we are not careful to see each category in relation to the total number of cases to which it belongs. For example, if we find that there are 10 male students in the Science Interest Circle of the school and in Veterinary Medicine There are 15 boys. It would be a mistake to say that in Veterinary Medicine there is more male representation than in Science, if the total number of students for each circle of interest is not known.
Relative or signed numbers have emerged as a matter of convenience, mainly with the aim of being able to adequately represent the quantities whose quantities are capable of being grouped into two categories, or of being considered in opposite directions. There are many magnitudes of this type, called relative magnitudes that are represented in everyday life, in the field of Physics and in other scientific disciplines.

Relative magnitudes

Relative magnitudes are those whose quantities or particular states are classified into two different categories, which are said to be opposite, or in opposite directions.
For the relative magnitudes, a uniform terminology has been generalized according to which the quantities grouped in any one of the classes (chosen arbitrarily) are called positive and those grouped in the other are negative. The null quantity is considered as a separation element between both classes.

Examples of relative magnitudes

1. The opposing forces acting on a point are classified into actions and reactions.
2. Centigrade temperatures are classified as above-zero and below-zero temperatures, depending on whether the mercury column is above or below zero on the logger scale.
3. The geographic latitudes are classified into north (N) and south (S). When giving the latitude of a ship on the high seas, it is not enough to say that it is at 10 0 latitude, but it must be specified whether it is north latitude or south latitude.
4. Geographical lengths are classified into east (E) and west (W).
5. In current accounts, balances are classified as debtor and creditor.
6. The hours of the day before meridian (am) and past meridian (pm).
7. The dates, according to the chronology are classified in before Christ (AC) and after Christ (DC)

Relative numbers

To distinguish the measures of positive quantities from the measures of negative quantities, whatever the magnitude to which they belong, it is convenient to use a single and simple flag that substitutes the variety of signs: N, S, E, O, am, pm, AC, DC, and the phrases: debtor, creditor, above zero, below zero, etc. For this purpose, the + and – signs have been chosen, and so it is said, for example, latitude + 20, longitude – 50, balance + 300 pesos, temperature -6 ⁰ , year + 79.