Question

Mason was ordering the following rational numbers in math class: -3.3, -15, -8 8/9.

a. Order the numbers from least to greatest.
b. List the order of their absolute values from least to greatest.
c. Explain why the orderings in parts (a) and (b) are different.

Answer 1

a) order the number from least to greatest

8/9> -3.3 > -8 > -15

b) absolute value

|8/9| = 8/9

|-3.3| = 3.3

|-8| = 8

|-15| = 15

order 15 > 8 > 3.3 > 8/9

c) difference in the order in part (a) and (b) is because larger value with negative sign is the smallest.