The following table shows the population of some towns. Arrange them in a descending (decreasing) order. Town 1: 65,232; Town 2: 53,231; Town 3: 56,380; Town 4: 51,336; Town 5: 45,858; Town 6: 66,540.
Step 1: Compare ten-thousands: 66,540 and 65,232 have 6; others have 5 or 4
Step 2: 66,540 > 65,232 (66 thousands > 65 thousands)
Step 3: Among 50-thousands: 56,380 > 53,231 > 51,336
Step 4: 45,858 is smallest
Step 5: Descending order: 66,540 > 65,232 > 56,380 > 53,231 > 51,336 > 45,858
Answer: 66,540; 65,232; 56,380; 53,231; 51,336; 45,858 (Town 6, Town 1, Town 3, Town 2, Town 4, Town 5)
Explanation
To arrange in descending order, start with the largest. 66,540 is largest (66 thousands), then 65,232 (65 thousands), then 56,380 (56 thousands), then 53,231 (53 thousands), then 51,336 (51 thousands), then 45,858 (45 thousands).
Solution Steps
Step 1: Compare ten-thousands: 66,540 and 65,232 have 6; others have 5 or 4
Step 2: 66,540 > 65,232 (66 thousands > 65 thousands)
Step 3: Among 50-thousands: 56,380 > 53,231 > 51,336
Step 4: 45,858 is smallest
Step 5: Descending order: 66,540 > 65,232 > 56,380 > 53,231 > 51,336 > 45,858