Question

Order the numbers from least to greatest -1.2 to 1/5 5/2/ -3/2

Answer 1

You have to order the following numbers from least to greatest

`-1.2;2(1)/(5);(5)/(2);-(3)/(2)`

First is to write the value expressed as a decimal number as a fraction

`-1.2=-(6)/(5)`

The smaller values will be the negative ones, when you order from least to greates fractions you have to pay attention to the denominator, the greater is the denominator, the closer will be the value to zero.

So for both negative values

`-(6)/(5)<-(3)/(2)`

-3/2 has a smaller denominator than -6/5, this indicates that -6/5 is closer to zero than -3/2.

So the smaller value is -3/2 and the second to last is -6/5.

Next is to order the positive values

> Express the impropper fraction 5/2 as a mixed fraction

`(5)/(2)=(1)/(2)+(4)/(2)=2(1)/(2)`

The whole numbers are the same, so you have to compare the fractions. The denominator of 2 1/5 is greater than the denominator of 2 1/2, wich means that the value is less.

`2(1)/(5)<2(1)/(2)`

With this in mind the correct order for the given values, from least to greatest is

`-(3)/(2)<-1.2<2(1)/(5)<(5)/(2)`