Students learn to compare two- and three-digit numbers using place value reasoning. Starting with base-10 block comparisons, they progress to using greater than, less than, and equal to symbols. They practice ordering sets of numbers from least to greatest and greatest to least, and locate numbers on a number line to build number sense.
K-2 Foundations • K-2
Which is more: 47 or 74? To answer questions like this, we need to compare numbers. We look at the digits place by place, starting from the left.
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| > | is greater than | 8 > 3 |
| < | is less than | 2 < 9 |
| = | is equal to | 5 = 5 |
The symbol always opens wide toward the bigger number, like a hungry mouth eating the larger amount. The pointy end points to the smaller number.
Compare 56 and 52.
Compare 384 and 391.
To put numbers in order, compare them two at a time:
Order these numbers: 78, 42, 85, 41
A number line shows numbers in order from left to right. Smaller numbers are on the left. Bigger numbers are on the right.
To place a number on a number line, find where it belongs between the labeled marks.
Do not just look at the ones digit! The number 19 is less than 21 even though 9 is bigger than 1. Always start comparing from the leftmost digit.
When you check the temperature, you compare numbers. If Monday is 72 degrees and Tuesday is 68 degrees, you know Monday was warmer because 72 > 68.
1. Write >, <, or = between: 63 ___ 67
63 < 67. Same tens digit (6), but 3 < 7 in the ones place.
2. Write >, <, or = between: 450 ___ 405
450 > 405. Same hundreds (4), but 5 > 0 in the tens place.
3. Order from least to greatest: 88, 38, 83
38, 83, 88. The tens digits are 3, 8, 8. Among the two 8-tens numbers, 83 < 88.
4. Which is greater: 199 or 200?
200 is greater. Both have 3 digits, and in the hundreds place, 2 > 1. So 200 > 199.
5. Place these on a number line: 30, 75, 10, 50
From left to right: 10, 30, 50, 75. Smaller numbers go to the left.