How to compare integers

On a number line, greater means farther right. For negatives that flips intuition: −2 is closer to zero, so it is greater than −8, even though 8 looks bigger. The rule is printed in red under the number line, and question 1 asks your child to prove it by drawing −6 and −2 and circling them.

This is 6.NS.C.7.a: reading an inequality as the position of two numbers on a number line.

The ten pairs mix three kinds of cases on purpose, two negatives, a positive against a negative, and two equal numbers, so your child cannot coast on one habit.

The slip to watch is −354 and −348. A child who compares 354 with 348 picks greater than, the wrong way round. Ask, "Which one would you rather owe?" Owing $348 hurts less, so −348 is greater.

Heads-up before you mark: two rows of the answer page do not match your child's sheet. Where your child has −2 and −5, the key shows −5 and −2; where your child has −5 and −2, it shows −1 and −5. For the sheet your child holds, −2 is greater than −5, and −5 is less than −2.

A good closing line: "Point to the one closer to zero."

Pull up tomorrow's forecast together and compare two cold readings, −6 and −2 degrees: which morning needs the heavier coat? A freezer at −18 and a fridge at 4 make another pair worth comparing in the kitchen.

In Math Curse, by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, a student starts seeing math problems everywhere. Let your child spend one evening cursed with negative numbers, spotting every temperature, floor or score below zero.

Thank the slow look: "You found zero before you chose the sign." Next, putting integers in order stretches the same idea to five numbers at a time.