What you’ll learn
Order rational numbers.
Key idea
Among two negatives, the greater magnitude lies farther left and is smaller.
Greater negative magnitude is smaller on the number line; maintain both interval bounds and preserve the order of all four constructed values.
Worked example
Enter the exact value or ordered values in the format requested below.
Order 3/3, -2/3, 0, -3/3 from least to greatest. Enter four comma-separated values.
- The negative with greater magnitude is smaller: -3/3 < -2/3.
- Both precede zero, followed by the positive value, giving -3/3, -2/3, 0, 3/3.
Answer: -3/3, -2/3, 0, 3/3
Quick Check
Evaluate a worked attempt at order rational numbers, identify the first invalid step, and provide the correction.
A student writes Step 1: -4/4 and -2/4 are negative. Step 2: ascending order is -2/4, -4/4, 0, 2/4. Locate the first invalid step and correct the order.