Question

list in order from greatest to least 12, -9, -6, 10
options:
12,9,6,10
-6,-9,10,12
12,10,-6,-9
5,4,3,21

Explanation:

Step1: Recall number ordering rules

Positive numbers are greater than negative numbers. For positive numbers, larger magnitude means larger number. For negative numbers, larger magnitude (in absolute value) means smaller number (e.g., -9 < -6 because | -9 | = 9 > | -6 | = 6).

Step2: Analyze the given numbers (12, -9, -6, 10)

First, identify positive and negative numbers. Positive numbers: 12, 10. Negative numbers: -9, -6.

Step3: Order positive numbers

Among positive numbers, 12 > 10 (since 12 has a larger magnitude than 10).

Step4: Order negative numbers

Among negative numbers, -6 > -9 (because | -6 | = 6 and | -9 | = 9, and 6 < 9, so -6 is greater than -9).

Step5: Combine and order all numbers

From greatest to least, we start with the largest positive number, then the next positive number, then the largest negative number (least negative), then the smallest negative number (most negative). So the order is 12, 10, -6, -9.

Answer:

12, 10, -6, -9