Integers · Compare & order · 2.2

Order a set.

To order several integers, read them off the number line from left to right: the most negative is least, the most positive is greatest.

01 / THE IDEA

See it work.

Watch the method

Order a set

−3, −1, 2, 5 — left to right on the line.

1 / 1
−3,  5,  −1,  2-3,\; 5,\; -1,\; 2
1

Least is most negative

On the number line the smallest is furthest left. Read left to right.

−3,  −1,  2,  5-3,\; -1,\; 2,\; 5
02 / YOUR TURN

Practice until it feels automatic.

Your turn

Work it out.

List them from least to greatest, e.g. -3, -1, 2.

streak 0
best 0
…
— / WHY IT WORKS

The idea underneath.

Read left to right

Sort by position on the line. Most-negative first, then toward 0, then the positives.

Why it works

Line them up on a thermometer.

03 / WORKED EXAMPLES

From easy to tricky.

EX 1easy

Order from least to greatest: 9, 6, -9, 2

1

Least is most negative

On the number line the smallest is furthest left. Read left to right. -9, 2, 6, 9

EX 2medium

Order from least to greatest: 1, -2, 7, -8

1

Least is most negative

On the number line the smallest is furthest left. Read left to right. -8, -2, 1, 7

EX 3hard

Order from least to greatest: -1, 9, 5, -7

1

Least is most negative

On the number line the smallest is furthest left. Read left to right. -7, -1, 5, 9

04 / COMMON TRAPS

Where students slip.

Trap

Ordering negatives by digit size.

Fix

−9 is less than −1, not more.

Trap

Mixing ascending and descending.

Fix

Least to greatest means left to right.

05 / QUIZ

Test yourself.

The Test

12 problems across three tiers. Auto-graded on submit. Hints and a full walkthrough on every question. Your work is saved on this device — sign in to keep it across devices.

0/12Answered
How to answerType just the value. Formatting won't trip you up — we ignore spaces, capital letters, commas, and subscript style, so t₁ = 5, d = 3 and t1=5,d=3 both count. For a list of numbers, separate them with commas (e.g. 3, 10, 17).
Core

Core (4)

C1

Order from least to greatest: 9, 6, -9, 2

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
C2

Order from least to greatest: 8, -5, 3, 2

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
C3

Order from least to greatest: -7, 4, 5, 8

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
C4

Order from least to greatest: -1, -4, 9, -5

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
Apply

Apply (4)

A1

Order from least to greatest: 1, -2, 7, -8

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
A2

Order from least to greatest: -9, -1, 9, 3

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
A3

Order from least to greatest: -6, 2, 6, -1

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
A4

Order from least to greatest: -2, 4, -4, 3

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
Extension

Extension (4)

E1

Order from least to greatest: -1, 9, 5, -7

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
E2

Order from least to greatest: -8, 8, -9, 1

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
E3

Order from least to greatest: -8, -9, -6, 5

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.
E4

Order from least to greatest: -2, 3, -7, -5

Need a hint?
  • Place each on the line.
  • Most negative comes first.