Descending

Descending order means to arrange items or values from lowest to highest or largest to smallest. Descending order is the opposite of ascending order.
 

For example:

Numbers: 100, 99, 88, 77, 66.

Fractions: 3/4, 1/2, 1/3, 1/5.

Alphabets: Z, Y, X, W, A.

We use the greater than symbol, “>” to represent descending order. 

The symbol that we use to write the numbers in descending order is the greater than symbol (>).The symbol, which looks like an alligator's open mouth, has two sides: the open end is called the mouth, while the pointed end is known as narrow end or point. The open end should face the larger number and the pointed end must face the smaller number.

For example, arrange 1, 2, 5, 6, 4, 3, 8, 9, 7 in descending order: 9 > 8 > 7 > 6 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 1.

Alternatively, we can also use commas to separate the numbers and represent them in the descending order. 

There are various differences between descending and ascending order. Let us see all the differences between ascending and descending order in the below table:
 

To arrange integers in the descending order, we must first identify and write the integer with the highest value. We then proceed with other integers that has lower values. The idea is to arrange them from the largest to the smallest. Remember, integers include zero, negative, and positive numbers. So, let us see how they can be arranged in descending order:


Step 1: We should be able to tell the difference between positive and negative integers. It is important to know that positive integers are always greater than their negative counterparts. Also, zero is lesser than all positive integers, and greater than all negative integers.


Step 2: Among the positive integers, the larger number comes first. For example, 8 is greater than 5.


Step 3: Zero is smaller than all positive integers but greater than all negative integers.


Step 4: Arrange all the negative integers from smallest to largest. We should remember that the negative numbers which are closer to zero are greater than the negative numbers that are farther from zero.


Step 5: Finally, double-check the order of numbers. We should cross-check if each number in the list is smaller in value than the previous number when checked from left to right. 
 

Fractions can be arranged in the descending order. The below-mentioned steps are followed to get the order right:


Step 1: First, we should be able to identify the difference between proper, improper, and mixed fractions. We must always remember that improper fractions are always greater than proper fractions, so they come first.


Step 2: If the denominators are of different values, we must find the least common denominator (LCD). Then, we should rewrite each fraction with the LCD as the new denominator.


Step 3: Once the fractions have the same denominator, compare the numerators, the largest numerator represents the largest fraction.


Step 4: Convert the fractions back to the original form, if they were converted earlier.


Step 5: Lastly we have to ensure that the fractions are arranged from largest to smallest, if needed, convert them into decimals to verify.
 

Decimals are sorted in descending order by looking at the digits from left to right according to the place value of the decimal numbers. Take a look at the following steps to arrange decimals in the descending order:


Step 1: Look for the number before the decimal point, and that would be the whole number. The number with the largest entire number is the greatest.


Step 2: If two or more numbers have the same entire number, compare the decimal part digit by digit. The larger decimal value comes first.


Step 3: If decimals have different lengths, add trailing zeros to make them equal. This will help us in comparing and sorting properly.


Step 4: Now that all values have been compared, we should list them from largest to the smallest.


Step 5: Finally double-check the order that you have sorted the numbers, this step is followed to make sure the sorted data or items are in the correct order.
 

The descending order has numerous applications across various fields. Let us explore how the descending order is used in different areas:
 

• Business and Finance: We use the concept of descending order in business and finance, where companies are ranked from highest to lowest revenue to identify the top performing companies. We also apply descending order in arranging stock prices to highlight the highest valued stocks.
  
   
• Education: We use the concept of descending order in education, where students’ scores are arranged from highest to lowest to determine the top performers in the class. We also use descending order to rank universities based on their reputation, research, or student performance.
  
   
• Sports and Gaming: We use descending order in sports and gaming to rank athletes by their scores, time, or performance. We also use it to record the lap times of racing events. Video games use descending order to show the top scores in order.