Q. Which inequality correctly orders the numbers −32,−311, and −2.5 ?Choose 1 answer:(A) −32<−311<−2.5(B) −2.5<−311<−32(C) −32<−2.5<−311(D) −311<−2.5<−32
Convert to common format: Convert all numbers to a common format to compare them easily. Since we have fractions and a decimal, let's convert −2.5 into a fraction. −2.5 is the same as −25 or −221.
Compare fractions: Compare the fractions by finding a common denominator or by converting them to decimals. The common denominator for 3 and 2 is 6. So, we convert −32 to −64 and −311 to −622. We also convert −25 to −615 to compare with the other fractions.
Compare with common denominator: Now that we have all numbers with a common denominator, we can compare them directly. We have −64, −622, and −615. It's clear that −622 is the smallest, followed by −615, and then −64 is the largest (since we are dealing with negative numbers, the larger the absolute value, the smaller the number).
Translate back to original numbers: Translate the comparison back into the original numbers. −622 corresponds to −311, −615 corresponds to −2.5, and −64 corresponds to −32. Therefore, the correct order is -\frac{11}{3} < -2.5 < -\frac{2}{3}.
Match correct order: Match the correct order to the given answer choices. The correct order we found is option (D) \frac{-11}{3} < -2.5 < \frac{-2}{3}.