Question

Lauren says that -3.5 is greater than -3 1/3. Do you agree? Explain.

Answer 1

`-3(1)/(2)<-3(1)/(3)`

Explanation:

-3.5 means -(3 +
`(1)/(2)`)

In other words, -3.5 =
`-3(1)/(2)`

When we draw two numbers
`-3(1)/(3)` and
`-3(1)/(2)` on a number line,
`-3(1)/(2)` comes first from left to right.

We know that all the numbers on a number line from left to right are in increasing order.

Therefore,
`-3(1)/(2)` is smaller than
`-3(1)/(3)`.

`-3(1)/(2)<-3(1)/(3)`

Lauren is not correct.