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Math Coach Amy
Amy Ferguson Moncure

7th Grade Math · Unit 2

Compare and Order
Rational Numbers

Compare and order integers, fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and percents.

Jump to section:

What to Remember

Same number, different form

12 = 0.5 = 50%.

Change the numbers into one form before you compare them. Decimals to the thousandths place work well.

Benchmarks

Use 0, 12, and 1 as landmarks.

0.4 is less than 12 because 12 = 0.5.

A positive number is greater than 0. A negative number is less than 0.

Number line

Farther right is greater. Farther left is smaller.

−3 is to the left of −1, so −3 < −1.

Symbols

< means less than. > means greater than. = means the same value.

For more than two numbers, write the chain in the order the problem asks: least to greatest, or greatest to least.

Level 1

Easy

Compare two numbers. Use a benchmark, a number line, or an equivalent form.

Example
Compare. Use the benchmark 12. Write <, >, or =.
0.3    ?    12

The benchmark is 12 = 0.5.

0.3 is less than 0.5.

0.3 = 0.300 and 12 = 0.500.

0.3 < 12

Answer: 0.3 < 12

1
Compare. Use the benchmark 12. Write <, >, or =.
0.4    ?    12
Show Answer

The benchmark is 12 = 0.5.

0.4 is less than 0.5, so 0.4 is less than 12.

0.4 = 0.400 and 12 = 0.500.

0.4 < 12

Answer: 0.4 < 12

2
Compare. Use equivalent forms. Write <, >, or =.
50%    ?    12
Show Answer

50% = 50100 = 0.50.

12 = 0.50.

The decimals match, so the numbers are equal.

50% = 12

Answer: 50% = 12

3
Compare. Use a number line. Write <, >, or =.
−3    ?    −1
Show Answer
−4−3−2−101

● Teal: −3    ● Blue: −1

−3 is farther left than −1.

Both are negative. The one farther from 0 is smaller.

−3 < −1

Answer: −3 < −1

4
Compare. Use equivalent forms. Write <, >, or =.
0.25    ?    14
Show Answer

14 = 0.25.

0.25 = 0.250 and 14 = 0.250.

0.25 = 14

Answer: 0.25 = 14

5
Compare. Use the benchmark 2. Write <, >, or =.
2    ?    1.9
Show Answer

1.9 is less than the benchmark 2.

2 = 2.000 and 1.9 = 1.900.

2 > 1.9

Answer: 2 > 1.9

6
Compare. Use equivalent forms. Write <, >, or =.
−0.5    ?    −12
Show Answer

−0.5 = −0.500.

−12 = −0.500.

−0.5 = −12

Answer: −0.5 = −12

7
Compare. Use equivalent forms. Write <, >, or =.
75%    ?    0.8
Show Answer

75% = 75100 = 0.750.

0.8 = 0.800.

0.750 is less than 0.800.

75% < 0.8

Answer: 75% < 0.8

8
Compare. Use equivalent forms. Write <, >, or =.
112    ?    1.5
Show Answer

112 = 1 + 12 = 1.500.

1.5 = 1.500.

112 = 1.5

Answer: 112 = 1.5

9
Compare. Use the benchmark 1. Write <, >, or =.
34    ?    1
Show Answer

34 is a proper fraction, so it is less than 1.

34 = 0.750 and 1 = 1.000.

34 < 1

Answer: 34 < 1

10
Compare. Use a number line. Write <, >, or =.
−2    ?    −2.5
Show Answer
−3−2−10

● Teal: −2    ● Blue: −2.5

−2.5 is farther left than −2.

−2 = −2.000 and −2.5 = −2.500.

−2 > −2.5

Answer: −2 > −2.5

Level 2

Medium

Order three numbers.

Example
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
0.5
40%
12
0.5
0.500
40%
0.400
12
0.500

How to convert each number to a decimal:

0.5 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.5 = 0.500

40% means 40 out of 100.

40% = 40100

40 ÷ 100 = 0.4

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.4 = 0.400

12 means 1 ÷ 2.

1 ÷ 2 = 0.5

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.5 = 0.500

Least to greatest:

40% < 0.5 = 12

Answer: 40% < 0.5 = 12

1
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
0.2
14
30%
Show Answer
0.2
0.200
14
0.250
30%
0.300

How to convert each number to a decimal:

0.2 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.2 = 0.200

14 means 1 ÷ 4.

1 ÷ 4 = 0.25

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.25 = 0.250

30% means 30 out of 100.

30% = 30100

30 ÷ 100 = 0.3

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.3 = 0.300

Least to greatest:

0.2 < 14 < 30%

Answer: 0.2 < 14 < 30%

2
Order from least to greatest. Use a number line.
−1
−0.5
−1.5
Show Answer
−1
−1.000
−0.5
−0.500
−1.5
−1.500

How to convert each number to a decimal:

−1 is a whole number.

Write zeros in the tenths, hundredths, and thousandths places.

−1 = −1.000

−0.5 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.5 = −0.500

−1.5 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−1.5 = −1.500

−2−10

● Teal: −1    ● Blue: −0.5    ● Amber: −1.5

Farther left is smaller. Farther right is greater.

A negative number is less than a positive number. Between two negatives, the one farther from 0 is smaller.

Least to greatest:

−1.5 < −1 < −0.5

Answer: −1.5 < −1 < −0.5

3
Order from greatest to least. Use equivalent decimals.
0.75
45
70%
Show Answer
0.75
0.750
45
0.800
70%
0.700

How to convert each number to a decimal:

0.75 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.75 = 0.750

45 means 4 ÷ 5.

4 ÷ 5 = 0.8

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.8 = 0.800

70% means 70 out of 100.

70% = 70100

70 ÷ 100 = 0.7

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.7 = 0.700

Greatest to least:

45 > 0.75 > 70%

Answer: 45 > 0.75 > 70%

4
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
1.25
115
130%
Show Answer
1.25
1.250
115
1.200
130%
1.300

How to convert each number to a decimal:

1.25 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

1.25 = 1.250

115 = 1 + 15

1 ÷ 5 = 0.2

1 + 0.2 = 1.2

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

1.2 = 1.200

130% means 130 out of 100.

130% = 130100

130 ÷ 100 = 1.3

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

1.3 = 1.300

Least to greatest:

115 < 1.25 < 130%

Answer: 115 < 1.25 < 130%

5
Order from least to greatest. Use a number line.
−0.4
0.1
−0.1
Show Answer
−0.4
−0.400
0.1
0.100
−0.1
−0.100

How to convert each number to a decimal:

−0.4 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.4 = −0.400

0.1 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.1 = 0.100

−0.1 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.1 = −0.100

−101

● Teal: −0.4    ● Blue: 0.1    ● Amber: −0.1

Farther left is smaller. Farther right is greater.

A negative number is less than a positive number. Between two negatives, the one farther from 0 is smaller.

Least to greatest:

−0.4 < −0.1 < 0.1

Answer: −0.4 < −0.1 < 0.1

6
Order from least to greatest. Use a benchmark.
−34
0.2
−0.1
Show Answer
−34
−0.750
0.2
0.200
−0.1
−0.100

How to convert each number to a decimal:

−34 means −3 ÷ 4.

−3 ÷ 4 = −0.75

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.75 = −0.750

0.2 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.2 = 0.200

−0.1 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.1 = −0.100

Use 0 as a benchmark. Negative numbers are left of 0. Positive numbers are right of 0.

A negative number is less than a positive number. Between two negatives, the one farther from 0 is smaller.

Least to greatest:

−34 < −0.1 < 0.2

Answer: −34 < −0.1 < 0.2

7
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
25
0.4
45%
Show Answer
25
0.400
0.4
0.400
45%
0.450

How to convert each number to a decimal:

25 means 2 ÷ 5.

2 ÷ 5 = 0.4

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.4 = 0.400

0.4 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.4 = 0.400

45% means 45 out of 100.

45% = 45100

45 ÷ 100 = 0.45

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.45 = 0.450

Least to greatest:

25 = 0.4 < 45%

Answer: 25 = 0.4 < 45%

8
Order from least to greatest. Use a number line.
−2.5
−214
−2
Show Answer
−2.5
−2.500
−214
−2.250
−2
−2.000

How to convert each number to a decimal:

−2.5 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−2.5 = −2.500

−214 = −(2 + 14)

1 ÷ 4 = 0.25

−(2 + 0.25) = −2.25

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−2.25 = −2.250

−2 is a whole number.

Write zeros in the tenths, hundredths, and thousandths places.

−2 = −2.000

−3−2−1

● Teal: −2.5    ● Blue: −214    ● Amber: −2

Farther left is smaller. Farther right is greater.

A negative number is less than a positive number. Between two negatives, the one farther from 0 is smaller.

Least to greatest:

−2.5 < −214 < −2

Answer: −2.5 < −214 < −2

9
Order from greatest to least. Use equivalent decimals.
1
0.99
100%
Show Answer
1
1.000
0.99
0.990
100%
1.000

How to convert each number to a decimal:

1 is a whole number.

Write zeros in the tenths, hundredths, and thousandths places.

1 = 1.000

0.99 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.99 = 0.990

100% means 100 out of 100.

100% = 100100

100 ÷ 100 = 1

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

1 = 1.000

Greatest to least:

1 = 100% > 0.99

Answer: 1 = 100% > 0.99

10
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
0.08
110
9%
Show Answer
0.08
0.080
110
0.100
9%
0.090

How to convert each number to a decimal:

0.08 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.08 = 0.080

110 means 1 ÷ 10.

1 ÷ 10 = 0.1

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.1 = 0.100

9% means 9 out of 100.

9% = 9100

9 ÷ 100 = 0.09

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.09 = 0.090

Least to greatest:

0.08 < 9% < 110

Answer: 0.08 < 9% < 110

Level 3

Hard

Order four numbers. Decimals go to the thousandths place.

Example
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
0.4
0.45
25
41%
0.4
0.400
0.45
0.450
25
0.400
41%
0.410

How to convert each number to a decimal:

0.4 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.4 = 0.400

0.45 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.45 = 0.450

25 means 2 ÷ 5.

2 ÷ 5 = 0.4

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.4 = 0.400

41% means 41 out of 100.

41% = 41100

41 ÷ 100 = 0.41

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.41 = 0.410

Least to greatest:

0.4 = 25 < 41% < 0.45

Answer: 0.4 = 25 < 41% < 0.45

1
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
−0.5
−0.55
−12
−48%
Show Answer
−0.5
−0.500
−0.55
−0.550
−12
−0.500
−48%
−0.480

How to convert each number to a decimal:

−0.5 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.5 = −0.500

−0.55 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.55 = −0.550

−12 means −1 ÷ 2.

−1 ÷ 2 = −0.5

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.5 = −0.500

−48% means −48 out of 100.

−48% = −48100

−48 ÷ 100 = −0.48

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.48 = −0.480

A negative number is less than a positive number. Between two negatives, the one farther from 0 is smaller.

Least to greatest:

−0.55 < −0.5 = −12 < −48%

Answer: −0.55 < −0.5 = −12 < −48%

2
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
0.125
18
13%
0.12
Show Answer
0.125
0.125
18
0.125
13%
0.130
0.12
0.120

How to convert each number to a decimal:

0.125 is already a decimal.

It already shows the thousandths place.

18 means 1 ÷ 8.

1 ÷ 8 = 0.125

13% means 13 out of 100.

13% = 13100

13 ÷ 100 = 0.13

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.13 = 0.130

0.12 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.12 = 0.120

Least to greatest:

0.12 < 0.125 = 18 < 13%

Answer: 0.12 < 0.125 = 18 < 13%

3
Order from greatest to least. Use a number line.
2.5
225
251%
2.45
Show Answer
2.5
2.500
225
2.400
251%
2.510
2.45
2.450

How to convert each number to a decimal:

2.5 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

2.5 = 2.500

225 = 2 + 25

2 ÷ 5 = 0.4

2 + 0.4 = 2.4

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

2.4 = 2.400

251% means 251 out of 100.

251% = 251100

251 ÷ 100 = 2.51

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

2.51 = 2.510

2.45 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

2.45 = 2.450

2.32.42.52.6

● Teal: 2.5    ● Blue: 225    ● Amber: 251%    ● Rose: 2.45

Farther left is smaller. Farther right is greater.

Greatest to least:

251% > 2.5 > 2.45 > 225

Answer: 251% > 2.5 > 2.45 > 225

4
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
−1.2
−114
−1.25
−1.205
Show Answer
−1.2
−1.200
−114
−1.250
−1.25
−1.250
−1.205
−1.205

How to convert each number to a decimal:

−1.2 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−1.2 = −1.200

−114 = −(1 + 14)

1 ÷ 4 = 0.25

−(1 + 0.25) = −1.25

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−1.25 = −1.250

−1.25 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−1.25 = −1.250

−1.205 is already a decimal.

It already shows the thousandths place.

A negative number is less than a positive number. Between two negatives, the one farther from 0 is smaller.

Least to greatest:

−114 = −1.25 < −1.205 < −1.2

Answer: −114 = −1.25 < −1.205 < −1.2

5
Order from least to greatest. Use a number line.
−0.001
0
0.001
−0.01
Show Answer
−0.001
−0.001
0
0.000
0.001
0.001
−0.01
−0.010

How to convert each number to a decimal:

−0.001 is already a decimal.

It already shows the thousandths place.

0 is a whole number.

Write zeros in the tenths, hundredths, and thousandths places.

0 = 0.000

0.001 is already a decimal.

It already shows the thousandths place.

−0.01 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.01 = −0.010

−0.02−0.0100.010.02

● Teal: −0.001    ● Blue: 0    ● Amber: 0.001    ● Rose: −0.01

Farther left is smaller. Farther right is greater.

A negative number is less than a positive number. Between two negatives, the one farther from 0 is smaller.

Least to greatest:

−0.01 < −0.001 < 0 < 0.001

Answer: −0.01 < −0.001 < 0 < 0.001

6
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
35
0.6
62%
0.599
Show Answer
35
0.600
0.6
0.600
62%
0.620
0.599
0.599

How to convert each number to a decimal:

35 means 3 ÷ 5.

3 ÷ 5 = 0.6

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.6 = 0.600

0.6 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.6 = 0.600

62% means 62 out of 100.

62% = 62100

62 ÷ 100 = 0.62

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.62 = 0.620

0.599 is already a decimal.

It already shows the thousandths place.

Least to greatest:

0.599 < 35 = 0.6 < 62%

Answer: 0.599 < 35 = 0.6 < 62%

7
Order from greatest to least. Use a benchmark.
−34
−0.7
−80%
−0.75
Show Answer
−34
−0.750
−0.7
−0.700
−80%
−0.800
−0.75
−0.750

How to convert each number to a decimal:

−34 means −3 ÷ 4.

−3 ÷ 4 = −0.75

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.75 = −0.750

−0.7 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.7 = −0.700

−80% means −80 out of 100.

−80% = −80100

−80 ÷ 100 = −0.8

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.8 = −0.800

−0.75 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−0.75 = −0.750

Use 0 and −34 as benchmarks. −0.75 should match that fraction if they are equal.

A negative number is less than a positive number. Between two negatives, the one farther from 0 is smaller.

Greatest to least:

−0.7 > −34 = −0.75 > −80%

Answer: −0.7 > −34 = −0.75 > −80%

8
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
1.005
1
101%
11100
Show Answer
1.005
1.005
1
1.000
101%
1.010
11100
1.010

How to convert each number to a decimal:

1.005 is already a decimal.

It already shows the thousandths place.

1 is a whole number.

Write zeros in the tenths, hundredths, and thousandths places.

1 = 1.000

101% means 101 out of 100.

101% = 101100

101 ÷ 100 = 1.01

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

1.01 = 1.010

11100 = 1 + 1100

1 ÷ 100 = 0.01

1 + 0.01 = 1.01

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

1.01 = 1.010

Least to greatest:

1 < 1.005 < 101% = 11100

Answer: 1 < 1.005 < 101% = 11100

9
Order from least to greatest. Use equivalent decimals.
−2
−1.999
−200%
−1910
Show Answer
−2
−2.000
−1.999
−1.999
−200%
−2.000
−1910
−1.900

How to convert each number to a decimal:

−2 is a whole number.

Write zeros in the tenths, hundredths, and thousandths places.

−2 = −2.000

−1.999 is already a decimal.

It already shows the thousandths place.

−200% means −200 out of 100.

−200% = −200100

−200 ÷ 100 = −2

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−2 = −2.000

−1910 = −(1 + 910)

9 ÷ 10 = 0.9

−(1 + 0.9) = −1.9

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

−1.9 = −1.900

A negative number is less than a positive number. Between two negatives, the one farther from 0 is smaller.

Least to greatest:

−2 = −200% < −1.999 < −1910

Answer: −2 = −200% < −1.999 < −1910

10
Order from greatest to least. Use a number line.
0.875
78
88%
0.87
Show Answer
0.875
0.875
78
0.875
88%
0.880
0.87
0.870

How to convert each number to a decimal:

0.875 is already a decimal.

It already shows the thousandths place.

78 means 7 ÷ 8.

7 ÷ 8 = 0.875

88% means 88 out of 100.

88% = 88100

88 ÷ 100 = 0.88

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.88 = 0.880

0.87 is already a decimal.

Add zeros to the thousandths place.

0.87 = 0.870

0.860.870.880.89

● Teal: 0.875    ● Blue: 78    ● Amber: 88%    ● Rose: 0.87

Farther left is smaller. Farther right is greater.

Equal numbers land on the same point.

Greatest to least:

88% > 0.875 = 78 > 0.87

Answer: 88% > 0.875 = 78 > 0.87

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