Foundation and Higher · ordering numbers

Put numbers in order.
Decimals, negatives,
fractions.

make them look
the same first

two symbols to read —

< and >

the point faces the smaller number

3 < 7  ·  7 > 3

type 1 of 4

Decimals

1. Pad with zeros: same number of places.

2. Now compare them like whole numbers.

✓ Longer does not mean bigger

0.30.250.305

0.3000.2500.305

250 < 300 < 305

0.25 < 0.3 < 0.305

type 2 of 4

Negatives

1. Further left on the line is smaller.

2. −5 is left of −2, so −5 is smaller.

✓ −5 < −2, even though 5 > 2

type 3 of 4

Fractions

1. Find a common denominator: 30.

2. Compare the numerators: 18, 20, 21.

✓ Answer with the original fractions

2335710

203018302130denominator 30

35 < 23 < 710

type 4 of 4

A mixture

1. Turn everything into decimals.

2. 5 ÷ 8 = 0.625 and 62% = 0.62.

✓ Same form first, then order

0.65862%

0.6000.6250.620

0.6 < 62% < 58

ordering —

Decimals

pad with zeros, then compare

Negatives

further left is smaller

Fractions

common denominator

Different forms?
Convert them all to decimals.

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