Integers are whole numbers and their opposites, such as 6 and -6. Zero is also an integer. Positive numbers are greater than zero, while negative numbers are less than zero. Negative numbers can represent temperatures below zero, depths below sea level, and amounts of debt owed. Integers have opposites that are the same distance from zero in the opposite direction, like 6 and -6. Absolute value refers to the distance a number is from zero on the number line and is always positive.