SOLUTION: Which is bigger? -78 or -91

Algebra ->  Graphs -> SOLUTION: Which is bigger? -78 or -91      Log On


   



Question 956643: Which is bigger? -78 or -91
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

remember:
The smallest number that we'll never be able to reach is known as "-infinity."
0+is not considered to be either negative or positive. Zero is the point where positive numbers end and negative numbers begin, or vice-versa. Negative numbers are always smaller than zero.
compare positive and negative number:
5+%3E+1 (says: 5 is greater than 1)
but
-5+%3C+-1 (says: -5 is less than -1)
How can -5 be less than -1? It's less because it's further+left on the number+line.
In math problems, if you see something like: abs%28-5%29=5, those two lines around the -5 are saying: "get the absolute value of+-5."
Numbers further+left on the number line are always+smaller than those to their right, and theyalways have greater absolute value .
Therefore, we say -5+%3C+-1 because abs%28-5%29=5 and abs%28-1%29=1 and 5%3E1.
So, to determine which is bigger -78 or -91 compare their absolute values to see which one is greater because that number will be further+left on the number line.
abs%28-78%29=78 and abs%28-91%29=91 and 91%3E78=>-91 further+left on the number line; consequently, -78%3E-91