Question

Which number is greater. $-16or-23$ ?

Answer 1

Determine the greater number.

$-16or-23$

To determine which of the given numbers is bigger, we must use the number line. Other successive numbers are greater than the negative number closest to zero.

A number line is a tool for comparing and organizing numbers. Every number on the number line is plotted with regard to the origin (zero), and the value of a number is determined by its location on the number line. This means therefore any number close to zero is known as a positive number, while any number further away from zero is known as a negative number.

In terms of numbers, $-16$ is closer to zero and hence bigger. $-23$, on the other hand, is a bigger number, even if it is deeper down the negative number line.

Hence, $-16$is the greater number.