What is the first step in ordering real numbers?

The first step in ordering real numbers typically involves converting them into a common format that allows for easy comparison. Converting to decimal form is an effective method because decimals provide a straightforward way to visualize and compare different numeric values directly. When all the numbers are in decimal format, it becomes much easier to ascertain which numbers are larger or smaller, facilitating the ordering process.

Other methods, such as converting to fractions, could also standardize the values, but fractions may not be as immediately comparable as decimals, especially with different denominators. Finding the mean is not relevant to ordering numbers, as it is a measure of central tendency rather than a comparison tool. Using absolute value changes the nature of the numbers, leading to a different understanding of their order based on their distance from zero, rather than their original values. Therefore, converting to decimal is the most direct and practical first step in the process of ordering real numbers.