Math for Computer Science

3 | Comparing negative numbers

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Examples
Practice Problems

Introduction

How are negative numbers compared?

  • On a number line, numbers always increase (become "more positive") to the right and decrease (become "more negative") to the left.
  • Numbers to the right are greater than numbers to the left and numbers to the left are less than numbers to the right.
  • To describe one number as less than another, we use the symbol "<".
  • To describe one number as greater than another, we use the symbol ">".
  • To describe one number as equal to another, we use the symbol "=".

Examples

Less and more

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Q: What number is 2 more than -3?

A: To find the number 2 more than -3, we move 2 units to the right on the number line. Thus, the solution is -1.


Less than and greater than

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Q: Compare -3 and -1 using <, > or =.

A: Since -3 is less than -1, the solution is: -3 < -1.

Practice | Comparing Negative Numbers

Click "Create Report" upon completion of any practice set to document your progress: Example