Which number comes first in the series when ordered from least to greatest?

22/7, -3, 17 squared, 16/5, or -4.5

When ordered from least to greatest, the numbers would be:

-4.5, -3, 16/5, 22/7, 17 squared

Therefore, -4.5 is the number that comes first in the series.

To determine which number comes first in the series when ordered from least to greatest, let's compare the numbers:

-4.5 < -3 < 16/5 < 22/7 < 17^2

So, when ordered from least to greatest, the numbers are:

-4.5, -3, 16/5, 22/7, 17^2

Therefore, -4.5 comes first in the series.