Comparing numbers

key notes :

🎊How do you compare two numbers?

You can see which number is greater using a place-value chart.

To compare two numbers, follow these steps:

  1. Write the numbers in a place-value chart.
  2. Compare the digits starting with the greatest place value.
  3. If the digits are the same, compare the digits in the next place value to the right. Keep comparing digits with the same place value until you find digits that are different.

Let’s try it! Compare 94 and 983.

A place value chart with the numbers 94 and 983. The number 94 shows a 9 in the tens place and a 4 in the ones place. The number 983 shows a 9 in the hundreds place, an 8 in the tens place, and a 3 in the ones place.

🎇The greatest place value is hundreds. Since 94 has no hundreds, 983 is greater than 94.

🎇Let’s look at another example. Compare 431 and 413.

A place value chart with the numbers 431 and 413. The number 431 shows a 4 in the hundreds place, a 3 in the tens place and a 1 in the ones place. The number 413 shows a 4 in the hundreds place, a 1 in the tens place, and a 3 in the ones place.
  • Compare the hundreds digits.
    • Both numbers have a hundreds digit of 4, so move to the place value to the right.
  • Compare the tens digits.
    • The tens digit in 431 is 3. The tens digit in 413 is 1.
    • 3 is greater than 1. So, 431 is greater than 413.

Tip

Imagine the symbols are an alligator’s mouth. The alligator always eats the bigger number!

First, the number 856, then the mouth of an alligator opening to the left in the shape of a greater-than sign, then the number 829. Second, the number 3,547, then the mouth of an alligator opening to the right in the shape of a less-than sign, then the number 3,582. Third, the number 10,503, then a face-on view of alligator's mouth in the shape of an equal sign, then the number 10,503 again.

Learn with an example

🗼Which words make this statement true?

40 ____ 36.

  • is greater than
  • is less than
  • is equal to
  • When you count, 40 comes after 36.
  • 40 is greater than 36.

🗼 Which words make this statement true?

39 ____ 7.

  • is greater than
  • is less than
  • is equal to
  • When you count, 39 comes after 7.
  • 39 is greater than 7.

🗼Which words make this statement true?

83 ____ 83.

  • is greater than
  • is less than
  • is equal to
  • The number 83 is on both sides. Both sides are equal.
  • 83 is equal to 83.

Let’s practice!