positive number

This is the name given to a number that is greater than zero.

A positive number is either written with a plus sign in front of it, for example +5, or as a number on its own, for example 5. There are three ways to say this: ‘plus 5’, ‘positive 5’ or ‘5’.

We can see positive numbers on the number line opposite. These are the numbers represented by points to the right of zero: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on.

The opposite of positive number is negative number.

See also directed number.