Maths is more than just numbers. Once your little one has a command over basic math, it’s important to teach them essential math concepts like ascending and descending orders. These topics help learners identify the order of numbers, alphabets, measurements, etc. and correctly arrange them from lowest to highest and highest to lowest.
In this article, we have covered some basic information about descending order for kindergarten kids and preschoolers. This is a perfect guide to introduce your kids to the concept of descending order, and that there is more to math than just digits.
Let’s get started!
Definition Of Descending Order With Examples
Here is the meaning of descending order for children:
When the given information is sorted from highest value to lowest value, it is said to be arranged in descending order. It is simply an arrangement of the given information from the largest to the smallest value.
- Example of descending order numbers: 10, 8, 7, 5, 3, 1
- Example of descending order fractions: 7/8, 3/4, 1/2, 5/12
- Example of descending order decimals: 5.5, 0.55, 0.055, 0.005
Symbol Of Descending Order
Now that you know the definition of descending order let’s look at the descending order sign.
We use the greater than symbol, “>”, to write the numbers in descending order. While writing the symbol, the open end will face the number with a larger value, and the pointed end will face the number with a smaller value.
For example, let us arrange the numbers 10, 7, 3, 5, 1, and 6 in descending order.
To arrange these numbers in descending order, the greater than symbol (>) is placed in a way where the open end faces the bigger number, and the pointed end faces the smaller numbers:
10 > 7 > 6 > 5 > 3 > 1
You may come across scenarios where a comma is used to arrange the numbers in descending order.
For example, 10, 7, 6, 5, 3, 1
This is another way to represent the arrangement of numbers from highest to lowest, in descending order.
Descending Order of Alphabets
Now that you have understood the descending meaning in maths and are already aware of how to arrange numbers in descending order, let’s quickly look at what descending order of the alphabet is.
Arranging the values in descending order is not just limited to numbers. You can arrange the English alphabet in descending order too. While arranging the alphabet in descending order, A is considered the smallest and Z the largest. Therefore, the sequence for decreasing order of the alphabet will start from Z and last till A.
Here is how to write English Alphabet in descending order using the symbol.
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
Here is how to write English Alphabet in descending order using a comma.
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
Decreasing Order With Measurements For Kids
Just like arranging the numbers and alphabet in descending order, we can also use descending order to arrange the objects, people, animals, etc., in decreasing order of their length or height.
For example, we have to arrange the following animals in descending order of their height:
Elephant, Giraffe, Rabbit, Horse, Mouse
Here is how to write animals in descending order of their height using a symbol.
Giraffe > Elephant > Horse > Rabbit > Mouse
Word Problems On Descending Order For Children
Word problems are an excellent way to teach little minds how to be creative with maths. It’s a brilliant way to stimulate their thinking and problem-solving skills and teach them how to improvise. It’s a fantastic way to reinforce children’s independent thinking, too.
We have word problems for you in descending order. Try them now!
(Psst. Don’t look at the answer)
- Arrange the numbers in descending order from 5 to 10.
Answer: 10 > 9 > 8 > 7 > 6 > 5 - Maria has to solve the maths question given on pages 120, 162, 144, 172, 199 and 110. How will you write these numbers in descending order to make it easy for Maria?
Answer: 199 > 172 > 162 > 144 > 120 > 110
Descending Order of Dates
Now that we have covered everything from numbers to measurements, let’s look at how to write dates in descending order with the help of an example.
Suppose we have the following dates:
16/10/2022
12/10/2022
20/10/2022
09/10/2022
15/10/2022
The descending order of the above dates will be:
20/10/2002
12/10/2002
15/10/2002
12/10/2002
09/10/2002
Rules While Forming Descending Order
Now that we covered the basics of descending order, here are some rules that you must follow while arranging the given information in descending order –
- To get the descending order numbers, always start with the largest number.
- Make sure that the numbers, alphabet, etc., are in order from largest to smallest.
- Ensure that you end with the smallest number.
- Remember that descending order does not always follow the rule of subtracting 1 from each number to from the decreasing sequence.
- Descending order can be applied to numbers, measurements, alphabets, etc. The only rule to follow is that they must be arranged from largest value to smallest value.
Tips To Find The Descending Order
Putting the given information in descending order is nothing but the opposite of ascending order. In simple words, descending is going down or counting down. To make it easy for children to understand, they can think of going down a staircase to conceptualise descending order. The process for arranging the information in descending order is the same as arranging them in ascending order. The only difference is that the smallest number goes on the right-hand side, and the biggest number goes on the left-hand side. You can also explain this concept to your child with the help of back counting. When they back count from five, 5-4-3-2-1, this is nothing but the descending order only.
Also Read:
Why Your Child Needs to Learn Prime Numbers
Easy Ways to Teach Your Child Basic Counting
Number Names for Children to Improve Their Math Skills
