It feels strange that −5 is smaller than −2 when 5 is bigger than 2. My brain keeps telling me −5 should be the bigger one.
The trick is to remember that on the number line, numbers always get larger as you move to the right and smaller as you move to the left. Negative numbers sit to the left of zero. The number −5 is further left than −2, so −5 is actually the smaller value and −2 is greater. A real-life way to picture it: owing 5 rupees is a worse position than owing 2 rupees, so −5 represents 'less money' than −2. For negative numbers the rule flips compared to positives: the bigger the digit after the minus sign, the smaller the number. So −2 > −5, even though 2 < 5 for the positive versions.
Sign in as a tutor to answer this doubt.