High School

What is the meaning of the statement [tex]-30 < -5[/tex]?

A. 30 is greater than 5
B. 30 is less than minus 5
C. Minus 30 is less than minus 5
D. Minus 30 is greater than minus 5

Answer :

Sure! Let's break down the statement [tex]\(-30 < -5\)[/tex]:

1. Understanding the Numbers:
- The minus sign (-) in front of a number indicates that it is negative.
- So, [tex]\(-30\)[/tex] is read as "negative thirty" or "minus thirty".
- Similarly, [tex]\(-5\)[/tex] is read as "negative five" or "minus five".

2. Number Line Perspective:
- On a number line, numbers increase as they move to the right and decrease as they move to the left.
- Negative numbers are to the left of zero. The more negative a number, the further left it is.

3. Comparing [tex]\(-30\)[/tex] and [tex]\(-5\)[/tex]:
- Think of [tex]\(-30\)[/tex] and [tex]\(-5\)[/tex] on a number line. Since [tex]\(-30\)[/tex] is more negative than [tex]\(-5\)[/tex], it lies further to the left.
- This means [tex]\(-30\)[/tex] is less than [tex]\(-5\)[/tex].

Thus, the statement [tex]\(-30 < -5\)[/tex] means that minus thirty is less than minus five. The correct interpretation is option C: "Minus 30 is less than minus 5".