DfE statement N1 · Number

Ordering numbers and inequality symbols

Both tiersNon-calculator

Ordering numbers and inequality symbols is content statement N1 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the number area. It is on both tiers, and it is examined without a calculator. Below is what the specification actually requires, the 4 mistakes that cost marks on this topic most often, and practice questions written to the statement — original questions, not past papers.

What the specification says

The DfE subject content for GCSE mathematics states, verbatim: "Order positive and negative integers, decimals and fractions; use the symbols =, ≠, <, >, ≤, ≥." (statement N1). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
— Department for Education, Mathematics: GCSE subject content and assessment objectives, statement N1

Tier

Both tiers. This statement is Foundation content, which means Higher students are examined on it too — Higher is Foundation plus more, never instead of it.

Calculator

This is non-calculator territory. Questions on it belong naturally on Paper 1, where written method is all you have — so practise it that way rather than with a calculator to hand.

Common mistakes

Ordering negatives by size of digit: putting −7 above −2 because 7 is bigger than 2. On a number line −7 is further left, so it is smaller.
Ordering decimals by how many digits they have, so 0.45 is placed above 0.5. Line up the decimal points and compare place by place.
Reading ≤ as strictly less than, and so excluding the endpoint that the symbol includes.
Comparing fractions by numerator alone: calling 3/8 bigger than 2/5 without a common denominator.

Sample questions (10 of 30)

N1 · Ordering numbers and inequality symbolsQuestion 1 of 10 · 0 correct

Practice mode· no pressure · hints available

Number

Beginner

Write down the symbol that makes this statement true: 0.45 ___ 0.5

💡 Hints:

Foundation worksheet Higher worksheet Foundation number practice Higher number practice

Nearby statements

N2The four operations and place value N3Inverse operations and priority of operations

Questions people ask

Is ordering numbers and inequality symbols on Foundation or Higher?

Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.

Can I use a calculator for ordering numbers and inequality symbols?

Not on Paper 1, which is where this normally appears. Paper 1 is non-calculator for both tiers and carries the same 80 marks as each of the other two papers.

What is the single most common mistake here?

Ordering negatives by size of digit: putting −7 above −2 because 7 is bigger than 2. On a number line −7 is further left, so it is smaller.

Are these past paper questions?

No. Every question is original, written to this DfE content statement and checked before publication. We do not host past papers or mark schemes.

Back to Number at Foundation or at Higher.