Comparing Numbers
Learn
What Does Comparing Mean?
Comparing numbers means finding out which number is bigger, which is smaller, or if they are the same. We use special symbols to show this.
Comparison Symbols
- > means greater than (the number on the left is bigger)
- < means less than (the number on the left is smaller)
- = means equal to (both numbers are the same)
The Alligator Trick
Think of the > and < symbols like a hungry alligator mouth. The alligator always wants to eat the bigger number!
- 7 > 3 - The alligator opens its mouth to eat 7 because 7 is bigger than 3.
- 2 < 9 - The alligator opens its mouth to eat 9 because 9 is bigger than 2.
How to Compare Two-Digit Numbers
When comparing two-digit numbers:
- First, look at the tens place. The number with more tens is greater.
- If the tens are the same, look at the ones place. The number with more ones is greater.
Remember!
Always compare the tens place first. A number with more tens is always greater, even if it has fewer ones.
Example: 52 > 49 because 5 tens is more than 4 tens.
Examples
Let's practice comparing numbers!
Example 1: Compare 34 and 28
Step 1: Look at the tens place: 3 tens vs 2 tens
Step 2: 3 is greater than 2
Answer: 34 > 28 (34 is greater than 28)
Example 2: Compare 45 and 47
Step 1: Look at the tens place: 4 tens vs 4 tens (same!)
Step 2: Look at the ones place: 5 ones vs 7 ones
Step 3: 5 is less than 7
Answer: 45 < 47 (45 is less than 47)
Example 3: Compare 63 and 63
Step 1: Look at the tens place: 6 tens vs 6 tens (same!)
Step 2: Look at the ones place: 3 ones vs 3 ones (same!)
Answer: 63 = 63 (they are equal)
Example 4: Compare 19 and 82
Step 1: Look at the tens place: 1 ten vs 8 tens
Step 2: 1 is less than 8
Answer: 19 < 82 (19 is less than 82)
Example 5: Compare 70 and 65
Step 1: Look at the tens place: 7 tens vs 6 tens
Step 2: 7 is greater than 6
Answer: 70 > 65 (70 is greater than 65)
Practice Problems
Compare these numbers using >, <, or =
1. 25 ___ 32
Show Answer
25 < 32 (2 tens is less than 3 tens)
2. 56 ___ 54
Show Answer
56 > 54 (same tens, but 6 ones is greater than 4 ones)
3. 41 ___ 41
Show Answer
41 = 41 (they are equal)
4. 88 ___ 78
Show Answer
88 > 78 (8 tens is greater than 7 tens)
5. 39 ___ 93
Show Answer
39 < 93 (3 tens is less than 9 tens)
6. 67 ___ 69
Show Answer
67 < 69 (same tens, but 7 ones is less than 9 ones)
7. 50 ___ 48
Show Answer
50 > 48 (5 tens is greater than 4 tens)
8. 22 ___ 22
Show Answer
22 = 22 (they are equal)
9. 15 ___ 51
Show Answer
15 < 51 (1 ten is less than 5 tens)
10. 99 ___ 100
Show Answer
99 < 100 (99 is less than 100)
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to show what you learned!
1. What does the symbol > mean?
Show Answer
The symbol > means greater than. The number on the left is bigger than the number on the right.
2. When comparing 47 and 74, which number is greater?
Show Answer
74 is greater. 7 tens is more than 4 tens, so 74 > 47.
3. Emma has 35 stickers. Jake has 38 stickers. Who has more stickers?
Show Answer
Jake has more stickers. 35 < 38 because when the tens are the same, we compare ones. 8 ones is more than 5 ones.
4. Which should you compare first: tens or ones?
Show Answer
Always compare the tens first. Only compare ones if the tens are the same.
Next Steps
- Practice comparing numbers you see around you
- Remember the alligator trick for > and <
- Go back to Tens and Ones if you need to review place value
- You are doing amazing work with numbers!