Definition
Sorting
Sorting means arranging every item by a consistent rule, into groups, an order, or both.
What it means
First name the sorting rule. Then apply it to every item without changing the rule halfway through. You might sort shapes into groups by number of sides, order numbers from least to greatest, or do both.
Remember it
One rule, every item, a clear place.
Example
Sort the numbers 12, 5, 18, 7, and 10 into even and odd groups, then order each group from least to greatest. Even: 10, 12, 18. Odd: 5, 7.
Watch for
A sort is not valid if some items are ignored or the rule changes for different items.
Common mix-up
Classification tells which class an item belongs to; sorting is the action of arranging items by a rule.
Exact meaning
Sorting is the process of arranging a set of items according to a stated rule, either by placing them into groups, putting them in an order, or combining grouping and ordering.