For a problem like this, it is best to convert all numbers to a similar form making them easier to compare. I am going to convert them all to decimals, although converting them all to fractions can also work. -0.4 is already a decimal, so it needs no conversion; the same goes for 0.48. 4/8 is equal to 1/2, which equals 0.5 as a decimal. -4/8 is the same as -1/2, which is -0.5. Therefore, we are left with the following converted numbers: -0.4; 0.48; 0.5; -0.5
Now to simply order them from least to greatest, we will start with the two negative numbers because they are both below zero. When comparing negative numbers, the "bigger" one is actually smaller because it is farther below zero. Therefore, -0.5 is the smallest, followed by -0.4.
Now for the last two, 0.5, or 0.50, is 0.02 bigger than 0.48. Therefore, 0.48 is the second largest number and 0.5 is the largest.
This is the order now: -0.5 (smallest) -0.4 (2nd smallest) 0.48 (2nd largest) 0.5 (largest)
Now they simply need to be converted back to their original form (if applicable): -0.5 = -4/8 -0.4 = -0.4 0.48 = 0.48 0.5 = 4/8
This leaves us with the answer: -4/8; -0.4; 0.48; 4/8
