Number Line Inequality: Is C > E True When C = -3 and E = -1?

Q: Why is -3 smaller than -1 when 3 is bigger than 1?

Great question! With negative numbers, think about temperature or debt. -3°F is colder than -1°F, and owing $3 is worse than owing $1. The negative sign changes everything!

Q: How do I remember which negative number is bigger?

Use the number line! Numbers get larger as you move right and smaller as you move left. Since -1 is to the right of -3, we know $ -1 > -3 $.

Q: What if I don't have a number line to look at?

Think about real-world examples: Temperature: -1° is warmer than -3°Money: losing $1 is better than losing $3Elevation: 1 foot below sea level is higher than 3 feet below

Q: Does this work for all negative numbers?

Yes! Any negative number closer to zero is always larger. For example: -0.5 > -2.7 > -10 > -100. The pattern never changes.

Q: How do I write the inequality correctly?

Always put the smaller number first when using $ -3 . Or put the larger number first when using >: \( -1 > -3 $.

Comparing Negative Numbers with Number Lines

True or false?

$C > E$

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Understand the problem

True or false?

$C > E$

Step-by-step solution

First, locate the letters on the number line and see which numbers they represent:

$C=-3$

$E=-1$

Next, write out their numerical values as an inequality:

$-3 > -1$

Therefore, the statement is false.

Final Answer

False

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Number Line Rule: Numbers farther right are always greater than numbers farther left
Technique: C = -3 is left of E = -1, so -3 < -1
Check: Verify position: -3 comes before -1 when counting up ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Thinking larger absolute values mean larger numbers with negatives
Don't think |-3| = 3 > |-1| = 1 means -3 > -1! This ignores the negative signs completely. Always remember: the more negative a number is, the smaller its value.

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 smaller than -1 when 3 is bigger than 1?

Great question! With negative numbers, think about temperature or debt. -3°F is colder than -1°F, and owing $3 is worse than owing$ 1. The negative sign changes everything!

How do I remember which negative number is bigger?

Use the number line! Numbers get larger as you move right and smaller as you move left. Since -1 is to the right of -3, we know $-1 > -3$ .

What if I don't have a number line to look at?

Think about real-world examples:

Temperature: -1° is warmer than -3°
Money: losing $1 is better than losing$ 3
Elevation: 1 foot below sea level is higher than 3 feet below

Does this work for all negative numbers?

Yes! Any negative number closer to zero is always larger. For example: -0.5 > -2.7 > -10 > -100. The pattern never changes.

How do I write the inequality correctly?

Always put the smaller number first when using <: $-3 < -1$ . Or put the larger number first when using >: $-1 > -3$ .

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