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🔢 6th grade math · Counting & Numbers

Order and absolute value

On the number line, the number further left is always less. −8 < −3, because −8 is further below zero.

Worked example

−11 ? −17
Answer: −11 > −17
On the number line, whatever is further left is less. −11 is to the right of −17, so −11 > −17.
−18−17−16−15−14−13−12−11−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101−11−17

For grown-ups: Order and absolute value. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 6.NS.C.7
What this practises, for teachers

Practices order and absolute value (6.NS.C.7). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

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For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

More printables, with answer keys, for this grade:

Try three

  1. −3 ? 2
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: −3 < 2
    On the number line, whatever is further left is less. −3 is to the left of 2, so −3 < 2.
    −4−3−2−10123−32
  2. Which is higher? −9 ft ? 18 ft
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: −9 < 18
    On the number line, whatever is further left is less. −9 is to the left of 18, so −9 < 18.
    −10−5051015−918
  3. Which is warmer? −1° ? −2°
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: −1 > −2
    On the number line, whatever is further left is less. −1 is to the right of −2, so −1 > −2. Colder is further left; −2° is the colder one.
    −3−2−101−1−2

Before and after

Learn first: Negatives on a number line (6th)

Comes next: Add and subtract negatives (7th)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Order and absolute value (6th grade)

  1. Which is higher? −18 ft ? −20 ft
  2. Which is warmer? −9° ? 17°
  3. −1 ? 14
  4. −4 ? −2
  5. Which is warmer? 18° ? −1°
  6. −19 ? −7
  7. −1 ? −7
  8. −17 ? −13
  9. −3 ? −16
  10. −8 ? 1
  11. Which is higher? −4 ft ? −18 ft
  12. Which is warmer? 15° ? −19°

Answer key

  1. −18 > −20
  2. −9 < 17
  3. −1 < 14
  4. −4 < −2
  5. 18 > −1
  6. −19 < −7
  7. −1 > −7
  8. −17 < −13
  9. −3 > −16
  10. −8 < 1
  11. −4 > −18
  12. 15 > −19

More 6th grade skills: all 6th grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.