Meenu wrote some numbers on the blackboard and arranged them in ascending order as 2 < 7 < 9 < 12. She then multiplied each number by $-\frac{1}{2}$. Identify the correct statement regarding the above situation.

Correct Answer: Ascending order will now be changed to descending order.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

Step 1: Understand the initial set of numbers and their order
The original numbers written on the blackboard are arranged in ascending order (from smallest to largest):

$2<7<9<12$

Step 2: Multiply each number by the negative fraction
Meenu multiplies each number by $-\frac{1}{2}$. Let's calculate the new value for each number:

First number: $2\times \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)=-1$

Second number: $7\times \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)=-3.5$

Third number: $9\times \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)=-4.5$

Fourth number: $12\times \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)=-6$

Step 3: Compare the new values
When multiplying an inequality by a negative number, the direction of the inequality signs reverses. For negative numbers, the number with the larger absolute value is smaller.

Comparing $-1$, $-3.5$, $-4.5$, and $-6$:

$-1>-3.5>-4.5>-6$

Step 4: Determine the correct statement
Since the numbers now go from largest to smallest ($-1$ down to $-6$), the order has changed from ascending order to descending order.

Therefore, the statement "Ascending order will now be changed to descending order." is the correct choice.