2.1Negative Numbers and Ordering

Numbers greater than $0$ are called positive numbers. Numbers less than $0$ are called negative numbers. We read $-80$ as "negative 80".

Integers

\displaystyle \{\ldots, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, \ldots\}

On a number line, positive numbers sit to the right of $0$ and negative numbers to the left, and a number further right is always greater. Write this with $>$ , $<$ , $\geq$ and $\leq$ .

Every number has one place on the line. Further left is always smaller, so

-5 < -3 < -1 < 0 < 1 < 3

, whatever the digits look like.

Now you try

Fill in with $>$ or $<$ :

$0 \;\boxed{\phantom{<}}\; -19$

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On a number line,

0

is to the right of

-19

Therefore,

0 > -19

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Ordering temperatures

The overnight temperatures in three cities were: Moscow $\displaystyle -18\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ , Oslo $\displaystyle -7\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ , Helsinki $\displaystyle -12\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ . Arrange these from coldest to warmest.

Show solution▾

On a number line:

-18

is furthest left, then

-12

, then

-7

Coldest to warmest: Moscow (

-18\,^{\circ}\text{C}

), Helsinki (

-12\,^{\circ}\text{C}

), Oslo (

-7\,^{\circ}\text{C}

-18 < -12 < -7