Number Line Comparison: Determine the Relationship Between C and -3

Q: Why is -3 less than 3 when they look almost the same?

The negative sign makes all the difference! Think of it like temperature: -3°C is much colder (smaller) than 3°C. On a number line, negative numbers are always to the left of positive numbers.

Q: How do I remember which direction means smaller on a number line?

Think "Left = Less"! Numbers get smaller as you move left, and larger as you move right. This works for all numbers - positive, negative, and zero.

Q: What does the letter C represent in this problem?

Letter C is just a label for a point on the number line. Looking at the diagram, point C sits directly above the number -3, so $ C = -3 $.

Q: Is C < 3 the same as saying -3 < 3?

Yes, exactly! Since point C represents the value -3, the statement "C

Q: How can I double-check my answer?

Use the number line! Find where each number sits, then see which is further left. You can also think: "Is a negative number ever greater than a positive number?" The answer is always no.

Number Line Comparison with Negative Numbers

Solve the exercise

C ? 3

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Solve the exercise

C ? 3

Step-by-step solution

Let's look at the number line and locate the letters:

$C=-3$

Therefore:

$-3 < 3$

$-3<3$

Final Answer

$C < 3$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Position Rule: On number lines, left positions represent smaller values
Technique: Point C is at -3, which is left of 3
Check: Since -3 is negative and 3 is positive, -3 < 3 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Confusing absolute value with actual value
Don't think that -3 equals 3 because they look similar = wrong comparison! This ignores the negative sign which makes -3 much smaller. Always remember that negative numbers are always less than positive numbers.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

All negative numbers appear on the number line to the left of the number 0.

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why is -3 less than 3 when they look almost the same?

The negative sign makes all the difference! Think of it like temperature: -3°C is much colder (smaller) than 3°C. On a number line, negative numbers are always to the left of positive numbers.

How do I remember which direction means smaller on a number line?

Think "Left = Less"! Numbers get smaller as you move left, and larger as you move right. This works for all numbers - positive, negative, and zero.

What does the letter C represent in this problem?

Letter C is just a label for a point on the number line. Looking at the diagram, point C sits directly above the number -3, so $C = -3$ .

Is C < 3 the same as saying -3 < 3?

Yes, exactly! Since point C represents the value -3, the statement "C < 3" means the same thing as "-3 < 3". Both are true statements.

How can I double-check my answer?

Use the number line! Find where each number sits, then see which is further left. You can also think: "Is a negative number ever greater than a positive number?" The answer is always no.

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Signed Numbers (Positive and Negative) questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime