Comparing Integers

Show your work for each problem.

1.
Which symbol makes this statement true?
1. a) (greater than)
2. b) (less than)
3. c)Cannot be compared
4. d) (equal to)
Answer: (less than)
because is further left on the number line. Think of temperature: is colder than .
2.
Which number is greater: or ?
1. a)They are equal
2. b)
3. c)
4. d)
Answer:
because any positive number is greater than any negative number. On the number line, is to the right of .
3.
Fill in the blank with , , or : ___
Answer: >
because zero is greater than any negative number. Zero is the boundary between positive and negative numbers.
4.
Which is smaller: or ? Enter the smaller number.
Answer: -10
is smaller because it is further from zero in the negative direction. Think: is colder than .
5.
Which statement is TRUE?
1. a)
2. b)
3. c)
4. d)
Answer:
is true because is closer to zero (further right on the number line). is 'warmer' than if we think of temperature.
6.
Order from least to greatest: , , , . Write your answer separated by commas.
Answer: -8, -5, 0, 2
From left to right on the number line: . The negatives come first, then zero, then positives.
7.
Order from greatest to least: , , , ,
Answer: 7, 0, -1, -3, -12
1. Which is the greatest (largest) number? 7
2. What comes next after the positives? 0
3. Which negative is closest to zero (greatest negative)? -1
4. Which negative comes next? -3
5. Which is the smallest number? -12
8.
Which city had the coldest temperature? - Moscow: - Helsinki: - Oslo:
1. a)Helsinki
2. b)Moscow
3. c)They were all the same
4. d)Oslo
Answer: Moscow
Moscow () was coldest because . The more negative the number, the colder the temperature.
9.
A submarine is at meters. A diver is at meters. The ocean floor is at meters. Order from deepest to shallowest.
Answer: ocean floor, submarine, diver
1. Which depth is the most negative (deepest)? -300
2. What object is at that depth? ocean floor
3. Which depth is next: or ? -150
4. Which is closest to the surface (shallowest)? diver
10.
Fill in with , , or : ___
Answer: >
because is closer to zero (only 25 units away) while is 52 units away. Think: is warmer than .
11.
Three friends check their bank accounts: - Ana: euros - Bob: euros - Carla: euros Who has the most money?
1. a)Bob
2. b)Ana
3. c)Ana and Carla are tied
4. d)Carla
Answer: Bob
Bob has the most with euros (positive). Ana and Carla both owe money (negative balances). .
12.
Order from least to greatest: , , , , , ,
Answer: -17, -9, -3, -1, 0, 4, 12
1. Identify all negative numbers in the list. -17, -9, -3, -1
2. Which negative is furthest from zero (smallest)? -17
3. Order the negatives from smallest to largest. -17, -9, -3, -1
4. What number separates negatives from positives? 0
5. Order the positives from smallest to largest. 4, 12
6. Write the complete ordering. -17, -9, -3, -1, 0, 4, 12
13.
Find an integer that is greater than but less than .
Answer: -7
and are both between and . On the number line: . Either answer is correct!
14.
A golfer's scores for 5 holes were: , , , , . What was the best (lowest) score on a single hole?
Answer: -3
1. In golf, is a lower or higher score better? lower
2. Which scores are negative (under par)? -2, -3, -1
3. Which negative number is the smallest (most negative)? -3
4. So what was the best score? -3
15.
Which of these statements is FALSE?
1. a)
2. b)
3. c)
4. d)
Answer:
is FALSE. Actually because is much further from zero. All other statements are true.
16.
The lowest point in Asia is the Dead Sea at meters. The lowest point in North America is Death Valley at meters. The lowest point in Africa is Lake Assal at meters. Order these from lowest to highest elevation.
Answer: Dead Sea, Lake Assal, Death Valley
1. Which elevation is the most negative (lowest)? -430
2. Which comes next: or ? -155
3. What is at meters? Lake Assal
4. Which elevation is closest to sea level (highest of these)? -86