Draw a horizontal number line with negative numbers on the left, and positive on the right. Therefore, -425 is to the left of 212. In turn this means -425 is smaller than 212
Alternatively, draw a vertical number line. Think of 0 as the ground, positive numbers above ground, and negative numbers below ground. With 212 higher than -425, we know that 212 is larger than -425; i.e. -425 is smaller than 212
