1Cademy - Ordering Integers Using Inequality Symbols

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Number Line Interpretation of Inequalities

Example

Ordering Integers Using Inequality Symbols

To compare two integers, locate both on a number line and determine which lies farther to the right. The number farther right is the greater one. For example:

$14 > 6 $because$ {14} $is to the right of$ {6}$.
$-1 < 9$ because ${-1}$ is to the left of ${9}$ .
$-1 > -4$ because ${-1}$ is to the right of ${-4}$ .
$2 > -20 $because$ {2} $is to the right of$ {-20}$.

A common misconception is that a number with a larger digit is always greater; however, ${-4}$ is less than ${-1}$ even though the digit ${4}$ is larger than ${1}$ among counting numbers.