Ranking velocities from least to greatest

[Christie]

If I have three velocities and am asked to rank them from least to greatest and they are

-10 m/s, 3 m/s and 1 m/s

I thought it would be 1 m/s, 3 m/s, and -10 m/s.

However, someone told me that because -10 was negative, it would technically be the smallest. I found this strange. Who is right?? Thanks.

 

[Drakkith]

When you have two numbers, the more negative number is generally considered the smaller of the two. This certainly holds true for all positive numbers. Note that the magnitude of the -10 velocity is the largest of the three.

 

[pixel]

If I have three velocities and am asked to rank them from least to greatest...

What is the specific question that was asked? Least to greatest speed?

 

[berkeman]

-10 m/s, 3 m/s and 1 m/s

What are the magnitudes and directions of these three "vectors"?

 

[Chandra Prayaga]

How do you rank velocities, unless they are all in the same direction?