Negative numbers · Usually met around P5
Comparing and ordering negative numbers
Further left is smaller; a negative further from 0 is smaller.
How to do it
Method
Further left is smaller; a negative further from 0 is smaller
−8 < −3 < 0 < 2
Another way
Thermometer
−8°C is below −3°C: colder
In full
On a number line, the further right a number is, the bigger it is; the further left, the smaller. Every positive number is bigger than 0, and 0 is bigger than every negative number. Of two negative numbers, the one further from 0 is smaller: −8 is to the left of −3, so −8 < −3. On a thermometer, the lower the mark, the colder: −8°C is colder than −3°C. To put numbers in order, first sort them into negatives, 0 and positives, then compare the negatives by how far each is from 0.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
-4 is bigger than 2.
True or false?
Show the answer and working
Answer: False
On a number line, the further right, the bigger: see whether -4 is to the right of 2.
Example 2
Which of these numbers is the smallest?
- A. 11
- B. 10
- C. -11
- D. -4
Choose the right answer
Show the answer and working
Answer: C. -11
Negatives are smaller than positives, and of the two negatives -11 is further from 0: -11 is the smallest.
Example 3
How many whole numbers are bigger than -6 and smaller than 4?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 9
Between -6 and 0 lie 6 − 1 negatives; add 0 itself and the 4 − 1 positives below 4: 9 in all.
Practise it in the game →Negative numbers · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download