Concept of Comparing Integers

1. Use of Inequality Symbols

• Inequality symbols are used to indicate the order or comparison between numbers.
• The symbol < means "is less than", while the other > means "is greater than".

2. Ordering of Whole Numbers

• When a number a is to the left of another number b On the number line, we write:
  a < b (Read as: a is less than b).
• When a number a is to the right of another number b, we write:
  a > b (Read as: a is greater than b).

3. Direction and Value on a Number Line

• As we move from left to right, the value of the numbers increases.
• As we move from right to left, the value of the numbers decreases.
  

For example, 4  > -3, 0 > -1, -12 < 7
-4 < -3 < -2 < -1 < 0 < 1 < 2 < 3 < 4 < 5.