Ordering Integers

Show your work for each problem.

1.
Which list shows the integers in ascending order (least to greatest)?
1. a)
2. b)
3. c)
4. d)
Answer:
is correct. Starting from (the smallest), we go through , then , then , and finally (the largest).
2.
What does "descending order" mean?
1. a)From greatest to least
2. b)From least to greatest
3. c)Random order
4. d)From zero outward
Answer: From greatest to least
Descending order means arranging from greatest to least. Think of "descending" like going DOWN - starting with the largest value.
3.
What is the smallest integer in this set?
Answer: -8
is the smallest because it is the furthest left on the number line. Remember: with negative numbers, a larger digit means a smaller value!
4.
What is the largest integer in this set?
Answer: -1
is the largest because it is closest to zero. On the number line, is to the right of , , and .
5.
Where does zero belong when ordering integers in ascending order?
1. a)At the very end
2. b)After all negatives, before all positives
3. c)At the very beginning
4. d)It can go anywhere
Answer: After all negatives, before all positives
In ascending order, zero comes after all negative numbers and before all positive numbers. Zero is neither positive nor negative - it's the boundary!
6.
Order these integers from least to greatest: , , , ,
Answer: -7, -3, 0, 2, 4
1. What is the smallest (most negative) integer? -7
2. What is the next smallest integer? -3
3. What comes after the negative numbers? 0
4. Order the remaining positives from smallest to largest 2, 4
7.
Order these integers from greatest to least: , , , ,
Answer: 6, 1, -2, -5, -9
1. What is the largest (most positive) integer? 6
2. What is the next largest integer? 1
3. Order the negative numbers from greatest to least -2, -5, -9
8.
Write these temperatures in order from coldest to warmest: , , , ,
Answer: -6, -4, -1, 3, 8
From coldest to warmest: . The most negative temperature is the coldest!
9.
Golf scores: Ali , Ben , Cara , Dan . Who won (lowest score)?
1. a)Ali ()
2. b)Ben ()
3. c)Cara ()
4. d)Dan ()
Answer: Cara ()
Cara won with because it's the smallest (most negative) score. In ascending order: .
10.
Order from greatest to least: , , , ,
Answer: -1, -3, -8, -12, -15
From greatest to least: . Remember: is closest to zero, so it's the greatest negative number here.
11.
Five elevations are recorded: Sea level ( m), Mountain peak ( m), Cave ( m), Valley ( m), Hill ( m). Order from lowest to highest.
Answer: -120, -45, 0, 200, 850
1. Which location is the lowest (most negative)? -120
2. What is the next lowest elevation? -45
3. What elevation represents sea level? 0
4. Order the remaining above-sea-level locations 200, 850
12.
Order these integers from least to greatest: , , , , , ,
Answer: -21, -14, -7, 0, 7, 14, 21
1. What is the smallest (most negative) integer? -21
2. Order the remaining negative integers -14, -7
3. What comes next after all negatives? 0
4. Order the positive integers 7, 14, 21
13.
Bank account balances (in euros): Carla: €, Diana: €, Erik: €, Fiona: €, George: €. Order from poorest (most debt) to richest.
Answer: -150, -85, -30, 45, 120
From poorest to richest: Fiona (€), Carla (€), Erik (€), George (€), Diana (€). Negative balances mean debt!
14.
Which statement about ordering integers is FALSE?
1. a)On a number line, numbers increase from left to right
2. b)Zero comes between negative and positive numbers
3. c)The smallest negative number is furthest from zero
4. d) is greater than because 5 is greater than 2
Answer: is greater than because 5 is greater than 2
The FALSE statement is that . Actually, because is closer to zero. With negative numbers, smaller digits mean larger values!
15.
Weekly stock price changes: Mon , Tue , Wed , Thu , Fri . Order the days from worst to best performance.
Answer: -8, -6, -2, +3, +5
1. What was the worst day (biggest loss)? -8
2. What was the second worst day? -6
3. What was the third worst day? -2
4. Order the profitable days from worst to best +3, +5
16.
Order from greatest to least: , , , , , ,
Answer: 50, 25, 0, -5, -25, -50, -100
Descending order: . Notice: is the greatest, then , then , then negative numbers in order of how close they are to zero.