Unit 9 · Standard 6.NS.7
Compare and Order Integers
Key Vocabulary Level 1 support
Picture first, then the word, then a plain-language meaning. Say each word out loud.
-3 < 2 because -3 is farther left on the number line than 2
Compare
To see if a number is bigger, smaller, or equal to another.
Least to greatest: -5, -2, 0, 3, 7 (left to right on the number line)
Order
To put numbers in order, smallest to biggest or biggest to smallest.
4 > -1 because 4 is to the right of -1 on the number line
Greater than
Farther right on a number line. The > sign.
-6 < -2 because -6 is farther left — it is farther from zero
Less than
Farther left on a number line. The < sign.
-4 is 4 units to the LEFT of zero on the number line
Negative integer
A whole number smaller than zero, like -5.
..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
Integer
Whole numbers and their opposites, like -2, -1, 0, 1, 2.
Key Ideas & Notes
- Captain Vega's crew found treasures at different depths underwater!
- The deeper the treasure, the more negative the elevation.
- A gold coin is at -2 meters, a silver crown is at -7 meters, and a ruby ring is at -5 meters.
- The crew needs to rank them from the shallowest (closest to the surface) to the deepest.
- Plot the treasure depths on the number line. Then order them from least to greatest.
Think About It
- Which treasure is closest to the surface?
- Is -7 greater than or less than -2?
- How does the number line help you compare negative numbers?
My Notes
Guided Examples
Example 1
Which statement is TRUE?
Solution: -5 is farther to the left on the number line than -2, so -5 < -2 is true.
Answer: B. -5 < -2
Example 2
Which integer is the LEAST: -3, 5, -8, 2, 0?
Solution: -8 is farthest to the left on the number line, making it the least (smallest) integer.
Answer: A. -8
Example 3
What is |−8|?
Solution: Absolute value is distance from 0, always positive. |−8| = 8.
Answer: A. 8
Write About the Math The Writing Revolution
I can explain my reasoning using the words compare, order, greater than, and less than.
1. Kernel Sentence subject + verb
Model: Compare is to see if a number is bigger, smaller, or equal to another.Comparar es ver si un número es mayor, menor o igual que otro.
Write a kernel sentence about compare. Use a subject and a verb.Escribe una oración base sobre comparar. Usa un sujeto y un verbo.
2. Sentence Expansion because · but · so
Kernel: Compare matters in mathComparar importa en matemáticas
Expand the kernel three ways. Add a reason, a contrast, and a result.
Compare matters in math because ___.Comparar importa en matemáticas porque ___.
Compare matters in math, but ___.Comparar importa en matemáticas, pero ___.
Compare matters in math, so ___.Comparar importa en matemáticas, entonces ___.
3. Sentence Types 4 ways to write a math idea
Tell one true fact about compare.Di un hecho verdadero sobre compare.
Compare ___.
Ask a question about compare.Haz una pregunta sobre compare.
How does ___ ?¿Cómo ___ ?
Show excitement about compare.Muestra entusiasmo sobre compare.
Wow, ___ !¡Guau, ___ !
Tell a partner what to do with compare.Dile a un compañero qué hacer con compare.
First, ___ .Primero, ___ .
4. Explain Your Reasoning use a sentence starter
___ is greater than ___ because ___.___ es mayor que ___ porque ___.
On the number line, ___ is to the ___.En la recta numérica, ___ está a la ___.
I compare these when ___.Comparo estos cuando ___.
Try It
Solve on your own. Check the answer key when you are done.
1. What is |−8|?
- 8
- −8
- 0
- −16
2. Three cities have temperatures of -12°F, -5°F, and 3°F. Which city is warmest?
- 3°F
- -5°F
- -12°F
- They are equal
Stretch Your Thinking Level 2 enrichment
Challenge task — explain your reasoning in full sentences.
A student says: 'Negative numbers are always less than positive numbers, so -100 is less than 1.' Is this correct? Now the student says: '-100 is less than -1 because 100 is greater than 1.' Is THIS correct? Explain the difference.
Sentence starter: The first statement is ___ because ___. The second statement is ___ because with negative numbers, ___. On the number line, -100 is ___ of -1, so ___.
Reflect — Exit Ticket
Which list shows the integers in order from LEAST to GREATEST?
- -2, -5, 0, 3, 7
- 7, 3, 0, -2, -5
- -5, -2, 0, 3, 7
- 0, -2, -5, 3, 7
Answer Key & Teacher Guide
- Try It 1: A. 8 — Absolute value is distance from 0, always positive. |−8| = 8.
- Try It 2: A. 3°F — 3°F is the greatest because it is farthest to the right on the number line. The order from coldest to warmest is -12, -5, 3.
- Exit Ticket: C. -5, -2, 0, 3, 7 — -5 is the smallest (farthest left on the number line), then -2, then 0, then 3, then 7. The correct order from least to greatest is -5, -2, 0, 3, 7.
Writing (TWR) — what to look for
- Kernel sentence: A complete sentence needs a subject and a verb. Example: Compare is to see if a number is bigger, smaller, or equal to another.
- Expansion: because gives a reason, but shows a contrast or exception, so shows a result. Answers vary; each must keep the kernel idea and add the correct kind of detail.
- Sentence types: Statement ends with a period, question with "?", exclamation with "!", and a command starts with an action verb (a "bossy" verb).