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Explaining Integer Comparison in Budget Reporting
Imagine you are a supervisor in the accounting department training a new clerk. The clerk is confused by a budget variance report showing two deficits: -$1,200 and -$3,500. The clerk incorrectly assumes that -$3,500 is 'greater' than -$1,200 because 3,500 is a larger number than 1,200.
Describe the fundamental rule for comparing two integers using a horizontal number line. In your response, explain how the clerk should determine which deficit is actually greater based on its position on the number line, and clarify why the 'larger digit' logic is a common misconception when dealing with negative integers.
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Explaining Integer Comparison in Budget Reporting
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