Integer Comparisons Answer Key

About This Worksheet

This worksheet helps sixth-grade students compare positive integers, negative integers, and zero. Students choose whether one integer is greater than, less than, or equal to another while thinking about where each value belongs on a number line. The activity includes positive-positive, negative-negative, positive-negative, and zero comparisons. It is a useful way to build confidence with integer order before students move into more advanced rational-number comparisons.

What Students Practice

Students write greater than, less than, or equal symbols between pairs of integers. The problems require them to compare values with different signs as well as values that are both negative. Students must remember that numbers farther to the right on a number line are greater. This gives them repeated practice with one of the most important ideas in integer ordering.

Why This Matters

Negative-number comparisons are often tricky because students may assume that the number with the larger digit is always greater. For example, they may think a value far below zero is greater because its numeral looks larger. Comparing positions on a number line helps correct that misunderstanding. This skill is necessary for inequalities, coordinate planes, data interpretation, and later algebra work.

Teaching Tips

Encourage students to picture a number line whenever they compare two values. If both numbers are negative, ask which one is closer to zero because that value will be greater. You can also have students read each comparison aloud using words instead of only symbols. That extra step helps reveal whether they understand the relationship they wrote.

Curriculum Standards

This worksheet supports CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.C.7.A, which asks students to interpret statements of inequality as statements about relative position on a number line. It also reinforces CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.C.7 by requiring students to compare and order rational numbers. The worksheet is appropriate for independent practice, review, or a quick formative check during a Grade 6 integer unit.