If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

Main content

# Ordering negative numbers

Extend the idea of greater than and less than to negative numbers!
We already know that numbers farther to the right on the number line are greater for positive numbers.
For example, start color #11accd, 5, end color #11accd is greater than start color #e07d10, 2, end color #e07d10 because start color #11accd, 5, end color #11accd is farther to the right than start color #e07d10, 2, end color #e07d10 on the number line:
Key idea: The fact that numbers farther to the right on the number line are greater, is true for both positive and negative numbers.
For example, start color #e07d10, minus, 2, end color #e07d10 is greater than start color #11accd, minus, 5, end color #11accd because start color #e07d10, minus, 2, end color #e07d10 is farther to the right than start color #11accd, minus, 5, end color #11accd on the number line:

## Let's Practice!

Problem 1A
True/False: 1 is greater than 4.
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:

## Want to join the conversation?

• why is the -3 more than the -9
(22 votes)
• Think of it as money. You owe 3 dollars so instead of 3 it is now -3. The more you owe the more it decreases in value. Therefor, -3 is more than -9.
(13 votes)
• what is 'Order the following numbers from least to greatest.'question mean i do mistake on it
(19 votes)
• It means you need to arrange the numbers that they give you from least to greatest. E.g. -20, 10, -54, -77, 67. The order would be -77, -54, -20, 10, 67. Hope this helped :)
(0 votes)
• so far this website has been awesome for me comment below guys baiiii and i dont see anything confusing it helps you when you get stuff wrong i like how they also let you do the pratice test again
(9 votes)
• so the more left the number is on the number line the smaller it is and the more right it goes the more bigger it gets
(6 votes)
• Technically, but it's the value of the number. For example -5 and -1 on a number line -5 would be towards the left and -1 would be towards the right. Since -1 is right of -5, -1 > -5.
(3 votes)
• what is algera ?
(4 votes)
• How can you make a negative number?
(1 vote)
• IF A NUMBER IS POSITIVE:-
a) By putting minus sign before the number.
<Example>
2 = -2
Adding a minus sign before positive 2 makes it negative 2(that is -2).
OR
b)Subtracting double of it from it.
<Example>
2 - (2 x 2)
= 2 - 4
= -2
Subtracting double of 2(that is 4) from positive 2 makes it negative 2(that is -2).
IF A NUMBER IS NEGATIVE:-
There is no need to do this.
a)By putting minus sign before the number.
<Example>
-2
= -(-2)
= 2
Adding a minus sign before negative 2(that is -2) makes it positive 2.
OR
b)Subtracting double of it from it.
<Example>
-2 - (-2 x 2)
= -2 - (-4)
= -2 + 4
= -2
Subtracting double of -2(that is -4) from negative 2(that is -2) makes it positive 2.

%I hope this would help you out%
(10 votes)
• When you order a negative number can you also change it to a percent of a fraction to order it?
(0 votes)
• Yes, but negative numbers go backwards (the biggest negatives are smaller numbers).
(10 votes)
• how came the numbers on the number line is true and the other numbers are false why is that
(3 votes)
• 'Cause some be true and the rest be false. That so hard?
(2 votes)
• what is 'Order the following numbers from least to greatest.'question mean i do mistake on it
(3 votes)
• it means to put the numbers in order from the low numbers to the higher numbers. Here's an example:
-10, -5, -1, 1, 5, 10
(1 vote)
• how much do your body made up of
(3 votes)