how do -3.8 and -4 1/2 compare? use these symbols: < = >

-3.8 < -4 1/2

does that make sense to you? -3.8 is closer to zero than -4.5

Yes, you are correct. -3.8 is closer to zero than -4 1/2, so the correct comparison would be:

-3.8 > -4 1/2.

To compare -3.8 and -4 1/2, we need to convert the mixed number (-4 1/2) into a decimal. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Convert the mixed number into an improper fraction.
-4 1/2 = (-4 * 2 + 1) / 2 = -9/2

Step 2: Convert the improper fraction into a decimal.
-9/2 = -4.5

Now we can compare -3.8 and -4.5:

-3.8 < -4.5

Therefore, -3.8 is less than -4 1/2.