Question 956643

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 > 1}}} (says: {{{5}}} is {{{greater}}} than {{{1}}})
    but
    {{{-5 < -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(-5)=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 they{{{always}}} have greater {{{absolute}}} value .

Therefore, we say  {{{-5 < -1}}} because {{{abs(-5)=5}}} and {{{abs(-1)=1}}} and {{{5>1}}}.

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(-78)=78}}} and {{{abs(-91)=91}}} and {{{91>78}}}=>{{{-91}}} {{{further}}}{{{ left}}} on the number line; consequently, {{{-78>-91}}}