Put rational numbers in order

Key Notes :

  • Positive numbers are greater than 0.
  • Negative numbers are less than 0.

One of the easiest ways to order rational numbers is to turn them all into decimals and then put them in order.

If we want to turn a percentage into a decimal, all we do is turn the percent sign into a decimal point and move it two places to the left. So 13% becomes 0.13, and 213% becomes 2.13.

Convert all fractions into decimals to put them in order.

Learn with an example

Put these numbers in order from least to greatest.

9 ,-28/40, 6/15, -3/6

First, write all the numbers as decimals.

–28/40= –0.7

6/15= 0.4

–3/6= –0.5

You want to order the numbers from least to greatest. Since negative numbers are less than positive numbers, start with them first.

When comparing negative numbers, larger numbers (if you ignore the minus sign) are less than smaller numbers.

–0.7 is less than–0.5.

Next come the positive numbers. The positive numbers, from least to greatest, are 0.4 and 9.

The numbers, written as decimals, in order from least to greatest, are:
–0.7<–0.5<0.4<9

So, the correct answer is:

–28/40 < –3/6 < 6/15 <9

Put these numbers in order from greatest to least.

First, write all the numbers as decimals.

18/25 = 0.72

-1/20 = -0.05

You want to order the numbers from greatest to least. Since positive numbers are greater than negative numbers, start with them first.

0.72 is the only positive number. It is the greatest number on the list.

Next, come the negative numbers. When comparing negative numbers, smaller numbers (if you ignore the minus sign) are greater than larger numbers. 

The numbers, written as decimals, in order from greatest to least, are:

0.72 > –0.05 > –8

So, the correct answer is:

Put these numbers in order from least to greatest.

First, write all the numbers as decimals.

-24/40 = -0.6

-18/20 = -0.9

6/15 = 0.4

You want to order the numbers from least to greatest. Since negative numbers are less than positive numbers, start with them first.

When comparing negative numbers, larger numbers (if you ignore the minus sign) are less than smaller numbers. –0.9 is less than –0.6.

Next come the positive numbers. The positive numbers, from least to greatest, are 0.4 and 7.

The numbers, written as decimals, in order from least to greatest, are:

–0.9 < –0.6 < 0.4 < 7

So, the correct answer is:

Let’s practice!🖊️