Is 2 > −3? Why? Is −2 < 3? Why?
Is 2 > −3? Answer: Yes, 2 > −3 Reason: 2 is a positive number and −3 is a negative number. All positive numbers are greater than all negative numbers. On the number line, 2 is to the right of −3.
Is −2 < 3? Answer: Yes, −2 < 3 Reason: −2 is a negative number and 3 is a positive number. All negative numbers are less than all positive numbers. On the number line, −2 is to the left of 3.
Explanation
The chapter establishes that smaller numbers are to the left of bigger numbers on the number line. Positive numbers are always greater than negative numbers. Zero is greater than all negative numbers and less than all positive numbers.
Solution Steps
Identify whether each number is positive or negative.
Recall that all positive numbers are greater than all negative numbers.
On the number line, numbers to the right are greater than numbers to the left.
For 2 > −3: 2 is positive, −3 is negative, so 2 > −3.
For −2 < 3: −2 is negative, 3 is positive, so −2 < 3.