# Ordering Integers and Numbers

We can use a number line for ordering numbers and integers. Learn how to order numbers in few simple steps.

## Step by step guide to ordering integers and numbers

1. When using a number line, numbers increase as you move to the right.
2. When comparing two numbers, think about their position on the number line. If one number is on the right side of another number, it is a bigger number. For example, $$- \ 3$$ is bigger than $$- \ 5$$ because it is on the right side of $$- \ 5$$ on number line.

### Example 1:

Order this set of integers from least to greatest. $$- \ 4, – \ 1, – \ 5, 4, 2, 7$$

Solution:

The smallest number is $$- \ 5$$ and the largest number is $$7$$.
Now compare the integers and order them from least to greatest:
$$- \ 5 \ < \ – \ 4 \ < \ – \ 1 \ < \ 2 \ < \ 4 \ < \ 7$$

### Example 2:

Order this set of integers from greatest to least. $$3, – \ 2, – \ 1, 6, – \ 9, 8$$

Solution:

The largest number is $$8$$ and the smallest number is $$- \ 9$$.
Now compare the integers and order them from greatest to least:
$$8 \ > \ 6 \ > \ 3 \ > \ – \ 1 \ > \ – \ 2 \ > \ – \ 9$$

### Example 3:

Order this set of integers from least to greatest. $$-2,1,-5,-1,2,4$$

Solution:

The smallest number is $$-5$$ and the largest number is $$4$$.
Now compare the integers and order them from greatest to least:
$$-5<-2<-1<1<2<4$$

### Example 4:

Order each set of integers from greatest to least. $$10,-6,-2,5,-8,4$$

Solution:

The largest number is $$10$$ and the smallest number is $$-8$$.
Now compare the integers and order them from least to greatest:
$$10>5>4>-2>-6>-8$$

## Exercises

### Order each set of integers from least to greatest.

• $$\color{blue}{ – 15, – 19, 20, – 4, 1 }$$
• $$\color{blue}{ 6, – 5, 4, – 3, 2}$$
• $$\color{blue}{ 15, – 42, 19, 0, – 22 }$$

### Order each set of integers from greatest to least.

• $$\color{blue}{ – 2, 5, – 3, 6, – 4 }$$
• $$\color{blue}{ – 37, 7, – 17, 27, 47 }$$
• $$\color{blue}{ 32, – 27, 19, – 17, 15 }$$

• $$\color{blue}{ – 19, – 15, – 4, 1, 20 }$$
• $$\color{blue}{ – 5, – 3, 2, 4, 6 }$$
• $$\color{blue}{ – 42, – 22, 0, 15, 19}$$
• $$\color{blue}{6, 5, – 2, – 3, – 4}$$
• $$\color{blue}{47, 27, 7, – 17, – 37}$$
• $$\color{blue}{32, 19, 15, – 17, – 27}$$