Key Concepts

• We can use the number line to order numbers.
  • [latex]a<b[/latex] if [latex]a[/latex] is to the left of [latex]b[/latex] on the number line.
  • [latex]a>b[/latex] if [latex]a[/latex] is to the right of [latex]b[/latex] on the number line.
• Ordering decimals.
  • Check to see if both numbers have the same number of decimal places. If not, write zeros at the end of the one with fewer digits to make them match.
  • Compare the numbers to the right of the decimal point as if they were whole numbers.
  • Order the numbers using the appropriate inequality sign.
• To compare a decimal to a fraction, we will first convert the fraction to a decimal and then compare the decimals.
• The order of operations applies to expressions involving fractions and decimals.