Comparing Negative Numbers Worksheet | Printable Maths Worksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve this step-by-step, explaining each section of the worksheet on Comparing Negative Numbers.

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🔷 Section A: Using a Number Line

#### 1) Place the integers on the number line
Given integers:
`-2, 4, -7, 1, 3, -4, 8, -6, -1, 2, -3`

We need to place these on a number line centered at 0.

> 📌 Rule: On a number line:
> - Numbers increase from left to right.
> - Negative numbers are to the left of 0.
> - The further left a number is, the smaller it is.

So, arrange them in order from smallest to largest:

Ordered list:
`-7, -6, -4, -3, -2, -1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8`

Now place them on the number line (with tick marks spaced by 1 unit):

```
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
|---|---|---|---|---|---|----|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
-7 -6 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 8
```

Note: We don’t have a physical line to draw here, but you’d mark each number at its correct position.

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#### 2) Compare pairs using < or >

Use the number line:
👉 A number to the left is less than a number to the right.

Let’s go through each pair:

| Pair | Comparison | Reason |
|------|------------|--------|
| -2 □ 4 | `-2 < 4` | -2 is left of 4 |
| 8 □ -6 | `8 > -6` | 8 is right of -6 |
| -8 □ -4 | `-8 < -4` | -8 is left of -4 |
| -7 □ 1 | `-7 < 1` | -7 is left of 1 |
| -1 □ 2 | `-1 < 2` | -1 is left of 2 |
| -6 □ -7 | `-6 > -7` | -6 is right of -7 |
| 3 □ -4 | `3 > -4` | 3 is right of -4 |
| 4 □ -3 | `4 > -3` | 4 is right of -3 |
| -3 □ -1 | `-3 < -1` | -3 is left of -1 |

✔ Answers for Section A, Part 2:

```
-2 < 4 8 > -6 -8 < -4
-7 < 1 -1 < 2 -6 > -7
3 > -4 4 > -3 -3 < -1
```

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🔷 Section B: Compare integers using < and >

Compare each pair. Remember:

- For negative numbers: the one with the larger absolute value is smaller.
Example: `-10 < -7`, because |-10| = 10 > 7 = |-7|, so -10 is farther left.

Let’s solve each:

| Pair | Answer | Explanation |
|------|--------|-----------|
| -10 □ -7 | `-10 < -7` | -10 is more negative |
| -7 □ -17 | `-7 > -17` | -7 is closer to zero |
| -169 □ -254 | `-169 > -254` | -169 is to the right |
| -10 □ 7 | `-10 < 7` | Negative < Positive |
| -170 □ 17 | `-170 < 17` | Negative < Positive |
| -583 □ -599 | `-583 > -599` | -583 is larger (closer to 0) |
| -10 □ -17 | `-10 > -17` | -10 is greater |
| 215 □ -649 | `215 > -649` | Positive > Negative |
| -338 □ -180 | `-338 < -180` | -338 is farther left |

✔ Answers for Section B:

```
-10 < -7 -7 > -17 -169 > -254
-10 < 7 -170 < 17 -583 > -599
-10 > -17 215 > -649 -338 < -180
```

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🔷 Section C: Compare decimals using < and >

Same rules apply — use number line logic.

| Pair | Answer | Explanation |
|------|--------|-----------|
| 2.5 □ 1.5 | `2.5 > 1.5` | 2.5 is greater |
| -4.9 □ -5.3 | `-4.9 > -5.3` | -4.9 is closer to 0 |
| -4.2 □ 3.6 | `-4.2 < 3.6` | Negative < Positive |
| -2.1 □ -2.4 | `-2.1 > -2.4` | -2.1 is to the right |
| -3.5 □ -1.1 | `-3.5 < -1.1` | -3.5 is farther left |
| -8.9 □ -8.8 | `-8.9 < -8.8` | -8.9 is more negative |

✔ Answers for Section C:

```
2.5 > 1.5 -4.9 > -5.3
-4.2 < 3.6 -2.1 > -2.4
-3.5 < -1.1 -8.9 < -8.8
```

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✔ Final Answers Summary

#### Section A – Part 2
```
-2 < 4 8 > -6 -8 < -4
-7 < 1 -1 < 2 -6 > -7
3 > -4 4 > -3 -3 < -1
```

#### Section B
```
-10 < -7 -7 > -17 -169 > -254
-10 < 7 -170 < 17 -583 > -599
-10 > -17 215 > -649 -338 < -180
```

#### Section C
```
2.5 > 1.5 -4.9 > -5.3
-4.2 < 3.6 -2.1 > -2.4
-3.5 < -1.1 -8.9 < -8.8
```

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🧠 Key Concepts Recap:

- On a number line, numbers increase from left to right.
- Negative numbers: The larger the absolute value, the smaller the number.
- e.g., -10 < -5 because |-10| = 10 > 5 = |-5|
- Any positive number > any negative number
- When comparing decimals, same rules apply — compare their positions on the number line.

Let me know if you'd like a visual number line diagram!