This document discusses comparing numbers using less than (<) and greater than (>) symbols. It provides examples of comparing positive and negative numbers, fractions, temperatures, lengths, and percentages. The key points are that the < symbol points to the smaller number, the alligator eats the bigger number, numbers on a number line are compared by writing them in order using < signs, and the absolute value or magnitude of a number should be compared when dealing with positive and negative numbers.

1. 1-9 Comparing Numbers Order positive and negative numbers. Use the < and > symbols correctly between numbers. Counts are frequently compared. In 2006 there were about 4,265,555 births in the United States. In 2007 there were about 4,317,119 births. To indicate that there were fewer births in 2006 we write 4,265,555 < 4,317,119 **The symbol points to the smaller number.** **The "alligator" eats the bigger number.** This symbol is called an ______________. There are 4 of these symbols: Thomas Harriot, an English mathematician, first used < and > in the early 1600s.

2. Comparing Measures 1. The Amazon River in South America is about 4000 miles long. The length of the Nile River in Africa is about 4160 miles. Compare these lengths using a. the > symbol b. the < symbol 2. Mario is 5'6" tall. Setsuko is 4'10" tall. a. Compare these numbers using the > sign. b. Compare these numbers using the < sign. 3. A temperature of -6oC is colder than a temperature of 15oC. 4. Shawn Bradley, whose height is 7'6", is taller than David Robinson, whose height is 7'1".

3. Rewrite the sentence using one of the symbols <, >, or =. -5 is less than -3 6 is greater than -12 4'11" is shorter than 5' A height of 4.5 feet is the same as a height of 4½ feet.

4. Translate into English words. -3 < 3 17 > -1.5 -4 < -3.5 < -3

5. Compare Positive & Negative Numbers Numbers can be compared whether they are positive, negative, or zero. For example, A temperature of -7oC is colder than both 0oC and 4oC. 10 8 9 1 0 2 3 4 5 6 7 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 Since -7 < 0 and -7 < 4 we say... -7 < 0 < 4 4oC 0oC -7oC **CAUTION: Even though 10 is greater than 5, -10 is less than -5.** -10 < -5 Find the "absolute value" (value of the number without the - sign. The larger one is actually the smaller one!) **DO NOT use > and < in the same sentence!** DO NOT write 0>-7<4 **When combining inequalities, write the numbers in order as they would be on a number line and use the < sign**

6. Compare Positive & Negative Numbers 5. Rewrite the following sentences using inequality symbols: a. 0 is between -10 and 5. b. 12 is between 10 and 15. c. 0 is between -2 and 2. 6. Which is true? a. 2 < -5 b. 2 = -5 c. 2 > -5

7. Compare Positive & Negative Numbers (including fractions) Sometimes, when you convert fractions/mixed numbers to decimals, they are easier to compare. I'll also share with you a (sometimes) quicker "trick" to comparing fractions/mixed numbers without converting them to decimals. 4. Klaus ate 2 of the 3 pieces of a small pizza. Sonja ate 5 of the 8 pieces of a pizza of the same size. Compare and to find out who ate more. 5. One circular spinner is divided into 6 equal parts with 4 parts labeled "You win!" On another spinner of the same size, 7 out of its 10 equal parts are winners. Is it easier to win the first spinner or the second? Why? 6. a. 0.305 _____ 0.3046 b. ______ 10.8 c. ______ 7. a. ______ b. ______ c. -14 ______ -14½

8. Tonight's HW/Practice Lesson Master 1-9A