Ordering Integers

A number line shows numbers in order

• Numbers further left are smaller

• Numbers further right are larger

So, when ordering integers, read from left to right for smallest to largest

Start by finding the smallest number

• Then look for the next smallest number

• Keep going until all the numbers are in order

For example, 10, 3, 14, 7 becomes 3, 7, 10, 14

For positive integers, compare the number of digits first

• A 1-digit positive integer is smaller than a 2-digit positive integer

• If the numbers have the same number of digits, compare digits from left to right

For example, 14 < 17 because the tens digits are the same and 4 < 7

For negative integers, the number further left is smaller

• For example, -12 is to the left of -7

• So, -12 is smaller than -7

Therefore, -12 < -7