What is Meant By Descending Order?
Descending order is a specific arrangement of numbers or values. It is a term used in mathematics that typically comes into play when we study the number system. However, the concept of ascending and descending order has a lot of significance in other areas of life as well. Let us first try to understand what descending ordering refers to. If the information or data follows a pattern of decreasing value, it represents the descending order. This means that our numbers or values follow the arrangement of highest to lowest. For example, the dataset 78, 62, 34, 23, 20, 15, 11, 9, 5 follows the descending order of arrangement. Therefore, in simple words, the largest value to the smallest value pattern of numbers is the descending order. This article focuses on explaining what is the meaning of descending order with some examples.
Decreasing Order of Alphabets
We know that descending order means arranging data from biggest to smallest. In that sense, if we look at the English alphabet, the descending order of alphabets will be from Z to A.
Therefore, in the case of alphabets, they will go as Z, Y, X, W, V, U, T, S, R, Q, P, O, N, M, L, K, J, I, H, G, F, E, D, C, B, A in the decreasing order.
Like alphabets, you may need to arrange other entities like numbers, fractions, rates, ratios, etc. in ascending or descending order. In the following sections, we will be discussing further concepts regarding the numbers in descending order.
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Descending Order Symbol
Like other mathematical operations have a symbol, the descending order also has a symbol of its own. The symbol for descending order is ‘>’. With this symbol, we convey that the value in front of ‘>’ is greater than the value behind it. For example, if we are to arrange some numbers in descending order, we will write it as 30 > 29 > 28 > 27 > 26 > 25 > 24 > 23 > 22 > 21 > 20. In the following segment, let us look through some descending order example questions.
Solved Examples
The following are some solved examples of questions based on the concept of descending numbers. If you go through these questions, understanding the nature of the decreasing order will become easy and simple. So let’s go!
Q. Go through the set of numbers and rewrite them in descending order.
23, 56, 90, 12, 34, 67, 5
Answer: To rewrite the given set of numbers in decreasing order, we need to arrange them from largest to smallest. Therefore, we have
90, 67, 56, 34, 23, 12, 5.
One important tip here is, you can count the number of values given in the question and match it with your answer to make sure you haven’t missed any value while arranging.
Q. Rewrite the given dataset in decreasing order.
92, 32, 102, 72.
Answer: To arrange these in descending order, first find their values.
92 = 9 x 9 = 81
32 = 3 x 3 = 9
102 = 10 x 10 = 100
72 = 7 x 7 = 49
Therefore, our required descending order is: 100 > 81 > 49 > 9.
We can also write this as 102 > 92 > 72 > 32.
Q. There are five children in a group. They all have their individual pocket money. Rahul has 45 bucks, Ram has 100 bucks, Sheila has 67 bucks, Mohit has 39 bucks and Janya has 200 bucks. Arrange their pocket money in the decreasing order.
Answer: The amount of pocket money when arranged from highest value to lowest value is,
200 > 100 > 67 > 45 > 39.
FAQs on Meaning of Descending Order
Q1. Explain the Concept of Decreasing Order Means. Also, give Some Examples of Numbers in Descending Order.
Ans. Descending order is the concept in which we arrange numbers in a specific order which goes from the highest value to the lowest value. It is a mathematical concept and we use this primarily in the number system and in learning about fractions, decimals, and ratios. However, apart from all that, the concept of decreasing order has a fair amount of significance in a lot of areas of life. In our day to day lives, we need to decide the highest value for money among a shelf of products, we need to figure out our most expensive purchase, we need to compare funds, we need to study our performance ranks, etc. and all these concepts require the use of the descending order. In short, it is the arrangement of values in an order such that the greatest value is at the beginning and the smallest at the end.
The following is an example of numbers in descending order: 290, 78, 56, 45, 23, 12, 11, 10, 4
Q2. Why do we Need to Practice Questions Regarding the Decreasing Order Concept?
Answer: The concept of decreasing order may seem very simple to us. However, we need to understand that for children, the comparison is a new skill that they pick up. Moreover, this is a skill which they will require in many stages of their life. Therefore, it is essential that we introduce the concept of ascending and descending order in a way that the children can grasp. The easiest way to go about this is to explain the concept to them using simple words and definitions and then move onto solved examples. Studying solved examples is critical and so is learning to solve questions oneself. A greater amount of practice will ensure that the child avoids making silly mistakes such as leaving out values while arranging them in the required order.