Comparing Positive and Negative Numbers 4.8
Up until now
we have focused on positive and negative Integers—now we will look at Rational
Numbers – negative Fractions, negative Decimals and negative Mixed Numbers!
Please
review Page 202 for graphing Negative Decimals and Negative Fractions
Comparing
Positive and Negative Numbers
Complete the
statements using < , >, or =
-1/6 ? -0.6
-9/8 ?
-1.125
-2 1/3 ? -2.1
To find the
correct solution for each of the above, rewrite the fractions and mixed numbers
as decimals. Then graph the numbers on a number line and compare.
-1/6 is - 0.1666…
or rounded -0.17
-0.17 is to
the right of -0.6 so
-1/6 >
-0.6
-9/8 = -1
1/8 = -1.125
so -9/8 is
at the same point on the number line as -1.125 so
-9/8 =
-1.125
-2 1/3 =
-2.33333 or rounded to -2.3 which is to the left of -2.1
so
-2 1/3 <
-2.1
Ordering
Positive and Negative Numbers
Write 1.3 , -2 ½ ,
- 2.6 and 3/8 in order from least
to greatest.
Solution
1. First
rewrite the fractions as decimals ( or the decimals as fractions)
-2½ =
-2.5 and 3/8 = 0.375
2. Then draw a
number line. You can estimate to plot the points.
(See our
textbook page 203)
From least
to greatest
-2.6, -2 ½ , 3/8, 1.3
