When dealing with signed numbers, the presence of a minus sign indicates that the number is negative. Let's break down the options provided to better understand why this is the correct answer:
1. Absolute numbers:
- Absolute numbers, or absolute values, are the non-negative values of numbers regardless of their signs. For example, the absolute value of -4 is 4. Therefore, absolute numbers are always non-negative and don’t directly involve the concept of a minus sign.
2. Positive numbers:
- Positive numbers are greater than zero and do not have a minus sign. For example, +3 or simply 3 is a positive number. Thus, a positive number does not utilize a minus sign.
3. Prime numbers:
- Prime numbers are natural numbers greater than 1 that have no positive divisors other than 1 and themselves. The concept of prime numbers is not related to the presence or absence of a minus sign. For example, 2, 3, 5, etc., are prime numbers, and they are typically considered in their positive form.
4. Negative numbers:
- Negative numbers are those that are less than zero. They are denoted with a minus sign. For instance, -5 is a negative number. The minus sign explicitly indicates that the number is below zero.
Given the above explanations, when a signed number uses a minus sign, it clearly represents a negative number.
So, the correct answer is:
Negative numbers
