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
  • Current
True/False: 1 is greater than 4.
Choose 1 answer:

Want to join the conversation?