What is ‘Descending Order’?
When a pattern of numbers, alphabets, items, or other objects is arranged from larger to smaller values, then, the pattern is said to be in a descending order. For example, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 are numbers that are arranged in descending order.
Real life examples of Descending Order
Here are some real life examples of descending order:
- Walking down the stairs
- Sliding down a slide in a playground
How do we Find the Descending Order in a Pattern?
In order to find the descending order in a pattern, we have to write the highest value first. This is followed by the second highest value, and then the same process repeats. The symbol used to represent the order in descending form is ‘>’. Take a look at the pattern in the image:
As we can see, the pattern is arranged in descending order, with each number decreasing by one.
Solved Examples
Example 1:
Arrange the following numbers in descending order:
56, 22, 49, 78, 81, 93, 99, 12, 50, 9
Solution:
In order to arrange the numbers in descending order, we have to arrange them from the largest to the smallest. As a result, the numbers will be arranged in the following order:
99, 93, 81, 78, 56, 50, 49, 22, 12, 9
Example 2:
The heights of Ronald and his classmates were measured in order for them to participate in some outdoor activities. The heights recorded are 5 feet 6 inches, 5 feet 3 inches, 6 feet 2 inches, 4 feet 11 inches, and 6 feet 4 inches. Arrange their heights in descending order.
Solution:
To arrange the heights of Ronald and his friends in descending order, we will arrange the height measurements from the tallest to the shortest.
The heights, in descending order, are 6 feet 4 inches, 6 feet 2 inches, 5 feet 6 inches, 5 feet 3 inches, and 4 feet 11 inches.
This can also be written with the decreasing symbol as,
6 feet 4 inches > 6 feet 2 inches > 5 feet 6 inches > 5 feet 3 inches > 4 feet 11 inches.
Example 3:
Arrange these dates in descending order:
4th August, 15th January, 27th December, 22nd February, 6th April.
Solution:
Here, we will arrange the dates with the last month appearing first, followed by the other months.
Hence, the order will be as follows:
27th December, 4th August, 6th April, 22nd February, and 15th January
In descending order, the patterns are arranged from the largest to the smallest.
Ascending order implies the arrangement of patterns from the smallest to the largest value.
Yes, decimals can be arranged in descending order where the whole number part of the decimal will be compared from the greatest to the smallest number.