Comparing Rational Numbers at the Mouse Lab

Comparing Rational Numbers at a Lab

In a science lab, workers are analyzing the masses of 12-week-old male mice. The average mass is 24 grams. Lab assistants note if the mass of the mouse is above or below the average.

In this example what would a negative value represent?

• Masses below 24 grams

• Masses above 24 grams

• A mass of exactly 24

• A Mouse that weighs less than 0 grams.

Comparing Rational Numbers at a Lab

In a science lab, workers are analyzing the masses of 12-week-old male mice. The average mass is 24 grams. Lab assistants note if the mass of the mouse is above or below the average.

In this example what would a positive value represent?

• Masses below 24 grams

• Masses above 24 grams

• A mass of exactly 24

• A Mouse that weighs more than 0 grams.

Comparing Rational Numbers at a Lab

In a science lab, workers are analyzing the masses of 12-week-old male mice. The average mass is 24 grams. Lab assistants note if the mass of the mouse is above or below the average.

In this example what would a 0 represent?

• Masses below 24 grams

• Masses above 24 grams

• A mass of exactly 24

• A Mouse that weighs exactly 0 grams.

Plot and label each mouse’s mass on the number line below

e

f

g

h

a

b

c

d

Mouse F

Mouse H

Mouse C

Mouse E

Mouse G

Mouse A

Mouse B

Mouse D

Write an inequality comparing the masses of Mouse C and Mouse G.

Mouse C ​ (a)   Mouse G

• >
• <
• =

Write an inequality comparing the masses of Mouse A and Mouse E.

Mouse A ​ (a)   Mouse E

• <
• >
• =

The Mouse with the Greatest Mass is ​ (a)   . I know this because values to the ​ (b)   on a number line are always ​ ​ (c)   .

• Mouse H
• Mouse D
• right
• left
• Mouse B
• Mouse A
• Mouse G
• greater
• smaller

The Mouse with the least mass is ​ (a)   . I know this because values to the ​ (b)   are always ​ (c)   .

• Mouse H
• Mouse D
• right
• left
• Mouse B
• Mouse A
• Mouse G
• smaller
• greater

Which mouse's mass is closest to the average?

Hint: Remember Lab assistants note if the mass of the mouse is above or below the average.

• Mouse A

• Mouse B

• Mouse C

• Mouse D