How it works
Numbers get greater as you go right. They get less as you go left.
−6 is less than 0 because it is further left.
0.9 is greater than −0.5 because it is to the right.
Worked examples
A negative and zero
- Which sign goes between −6 and 0?
- −6 is left of 0.
- So −6 is less than 0.
- So the answer is < Less than.
Two positives
- Which is further right: 6 or 12?
- 6 and 12: 12 is further right.
- So 12 is greater.
- So the answer is 12.
Decimals
- 0.9 > −0.5: is 0.9 right or left of −0.5?
- 0.9 is right of −0.5.
- So 0.9 is greater.
- So the answer is 0.9 is to the right of −0.5.
A taste of the worksheet
These are the first problems of set A. The printable sheet has many more, with an answer key.
- −5 > −7: is −5 right or left of −7__
- Which is further right: 5 or 0__
- 7 > 0: is 7 right or left of 0__
- −9 < −1: is −9 right or left of −1__
- Which sign goes between −8 and −5__