Page 15 - Math Skill - 4

Numbers 13

Ordering of Numbers
Numbers can either be arranged in an ascending order (increasing order) or in descending
order (decreasing order).

In ascending order, numbers are arranged from the smallest to the greatest.
In descending order, numbers are arranged from the greatest to the smallest.

Let’s Attempt

Example 1: Arrange the numbers 75876, 75786, 75768 and 7587 in ascending order.
Solution: 7587 is the smallest number as it has only 4-digits, whereas all other numbers
have 5-digits.

Step 1: Comparing the digits of remaining TTh Th H T O
numbers shows that they have 7 5 8 7 6
same digits (7 and 5) at first two 7 5 7 8 6

places from left. 7 5 7 6 8
7 = 7 5 = 5
Step 2: Comparing third digits from left,
we find that number 75876 is the TTh Th H T O
greatest as 8 > 7. 7 5 8 7 6
7 5 7 8 6
7 5 7 6 8
8 > 7

Step 3: Comparing next digit of remaining TTh Th H T O
numbers, we find that 75786 > 75768
as 8 > 6. 7 5 7 8 6
Thus, 7587 < 75768 < 75786 < 75876 7 5 7 6 8
8 > 6

Ascending order is 7587, 75768, 75786, 75876.
Example 2: Arrange the numbers 346718, 431280, 169735, 785186 and 540003 in
descending order.

Solution: By comparing the left-most digits, we get 7 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 1.
Thus, 785186 > 540003 > 431280 > 346718 > 169735
Descending order is 785186, 540003, 431280, 346718, 169735.

Exercise 1.5

1. Find the greatest number in each collection.

(a) 52816, 12345, 54321, 52716 (b) 61283, 12683, 62183, 83126
(c) 71566, 75166, 76615, 75616 (d) 84757, 84869, 85909, 87003