9C | Compare & Order Integers Study Guide

Unit 7: Integers • Lesson 7.4 • Standard: 6.NOS.8a, 6.NOS.8b

Key Vocabulary

Integer — a whole number that can be positive, negative, or zero. Examples: −3, 0, 7. (número entero)
Compare — to decide if one number is greater than, less than, or equal to another. (comparar)
Order — to arrange numbers from least to greatest or greatest to least. (ordenar)
Greater than (>) — the number on the left is larger. (mayor que)
Less than (<) — the number on the left is smaller. (menor que)
Number Line — a line showing numbers in order from least to greatest, left to right. (recta numérica)

Visual Example — Number Line

  ←—————————————————————————→
 −7  −6  −5  −4  −3  −2  −1   0   1   2   3   4   5
  SMALLER ---->                               ----> BIGGER

  Numbers to the RIGHT are GREATER.
  Numbers to the LEFT are LESS.
Comparing negatives:
−3 vs −7 → −3 is to the RIGHT of −7 on the number line
So −3 > −7 (−3 is greater than −7)

Think: With negatives, the number closer to zero is GREATER.

Step-by-Step: Comparing Integers

  1. 1 Draw or picture a number line in your mind.
  2. 2 Find both numbers on the number line.
  3. 3 The number farther RIGHT is greater. The number farther LEFT is less.
  4. 4 Write the comparison using >, <, or =.
Key rules:
• Any positive number > any negative number (5 > −100)
• Zero > any negative number (0 > −4)
• For negatives: closer to zero = greater (−2 > −9)

Watch Out!

Practice Problems

1. Compare: −4 ___ 2. Type >, <, or =.

2. Compare: −3 ___ −8. Type >, <, or =.

3. Compare: 0 ___ −5. Type >, <, or =.

4. Order these from LEAST to GREATEST: 3, −1, −6, 0, 5.
Type them separated by commas (example: −6, −1, 0, 3, 5).