Chapter 9: Problem 33
Order each set of numbers from greatest to least. $$-\sqrt{14},-4 \frac{1}{10},-\frac{17}{4},-3.8$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Order from greatest to least: \(-\sqrt{14}, -3.8, -4\frac{1}{10}, -\frac{17}{4}\).
Step by step solution
01
Convert all numbers to decimals
Convert each number into a decimal to easily compare them.\(-\sqrt{14}\approx -3.74\), \(-4\frac{1}{10} = -4.1\), \(-\frac{17}{4}= -4.25\), \(-3.8\).
02
Compare the decimal values
Now, compare the decimal values. Remember that for negative numbers, a number closer to zero is greater than a number farther from zero. The decimals to compare are: \(-3.74\), \(-3.8\), \(-4.1\), \(-4.25\).
03
Arrange numbers from greatest to least
From the comparison, order the numbers as follows: \(-3.74\), \(-3.8\), \(-4.1\), \(-4.25\).
04
Convert decimals back to original forms
Finally, convert each decimal back to its original form: \(-\sqrt{14}\), \(-3.8\), \(-4\frac{1}{10}\), \(-\frac{17}{4}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Decimals
Decimals are numbers that have a whole number part and a fractional part, separated by a decimal point. They provide an easy way to express fractions or parts of a whole. For example, the number 3.8 has 3 as the whole number part and 8 as the fractional part.
- To convert fractions to decimals, divide the numerator (top number) by the denominator (bottom number). For example, \( \frac{1}{2} \) becomes 0.5 when 1 is divided by 2.
- Decimals are especially useful in many real-world contexts, such as money and measurements, where precise values are needed.
Square Roots
The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. It is denoted by the radical symbol, \( \sqrt{} \). For example, \( \sqrt{9} = 3 \) because 3 * 3 = 9.
- Square roots are significant in many areas of mathematics, including geometry and algebra, as they regularly appear in formulas and theorems.
- To approximate square roots that are not perfect squares, you can use a calculator to find a decimal value.
- Understanding how to approximate square roots can also help in ordering numbers; for instance, \( \sqrt{14} \) is about 3.74, which can be crucial for comparing against other numbers.
Fractions
Fractions consist of two parts: a numerator and a denominator. The numerator represents the parts of the whole, and the denominator indicates how many parts make up a whole. For example, in \( \frac{3}{4} \), 3 is the numerator and 4 is the denominator.
- Fractions can be easily converted to decimals by dividing the numerator by the denominator, which simplifies comparison between numbers.
- They often appear in problems that deal with parts of a whole, such as pieces of cake or segments of time.
- When comparing fractions, converting them to the same denominator or to decimals can help establish their order.
Negative Numbers
Negative numbers, indicated by a minus sign (-), are less than zero and represent values below zero. They are often used in contexts such as temperatures below freezing, debts, or below-sea-level elevations.
- Ordering negative numbers can be tricky because they behave opposite to positive numbers in that the closer a negative number is to zero, the greater its value.
- For instance, -3 is greater than -5, even though 3 is less than 5.
- In many real-life situations, understanding negative values is crucial, such as determining depths or losses.