What Does It Mean to Compare Numbers?
When we compare numbers, we look at two numbers and figure out which one is bigger, which one is smaller, or if they are the same!
Think about it like this: If you have 5 cookies and your friend has 8 cookies, who has more? Your friend does! That’s comparing numbers.
The Three Ways to Compare
When we compare two numbers, there are only three possibilities:
- One number is greater than the other (bigger)
- One number is less than the other (smaller)
- Both numbers are equal (the same)
Meet the Comparing Signs!
Instead of writing “is greater than” or “is less than” every time, we use special signs:
The Greater Than Sign: >
The > sign means “is greater than” or “is bigger than.”
How to remember it: The open mouth always faces the bigger number! Think of it like a hungry alligator that wants to eat the bigger number.
The Less Than Sign: <
The < sign means “is less than” or “is smaller than.”
How to remember it: The small point always points to the smaller number.
The Equal Sign: =
The = sign means “is equal to” or “is the same as.”
Examples with Pictures
Example 1: Comparing 7 and 3
🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 (7 apples)
🍎🍎🍎 (3 apples)
Which group has more? The group with 7 apples!
So we write: 7 > 3 (7 is greater than 3)
Or we can say: 3 < 7 (3 is less than 7)
Example 2: Comparing 15 and 28
Let’s think: Which number is bigger, 15 or 28?
28 is bigger because when we count, we reach 28 after we pass 15.
So we write: 28 > 15 (28 is greater than 15)
Or: 15 < 28 (15 is less than 28)
Example 3: Comparing 45 and 45
If you have 45 stickers and your friend has 45 stickers, you both have the same amount!
So we write: 45 = 45 (45 is equal to 45)
Trick for Remembering the Signs
The Alligator Trick!
Pretend the > and < signs are alligator mouths. The alligator is always hungry and wants to eat the BIGGER number!
- 9 > 4 → The alligator eats the 9 (bigger number)
- 4 < 9 → The alligator still faces the 9 (bigger number)
How to Compare Two-Digit Numbers
When comparing bigger numbers like 52 and 47, follow these steps:
Step 1: Look at the tens place first (the first digit)
- 52 has 5 tens
- 47 has 4 tens
- Since 5 tens is more than 4 tens, 52 is greater!
52 > 47
Step 2: If the tens are the same, look at the ones place
- Compare 64 and 68
- Both have 6 tens
- Look at ones: 4 ones vs 8 ones
- 8 is more than 4, so 68 is greater!
64 < 68
Real-Life Comparing
We compare numbers all the time in real life:
- Ages: Is your brother older or younger than you?
- Scores: Who got more points in a game?
- Money: Do you have more pennies or fewer pennies than your friend?
- Time: Which takes longer, 20 minutes or 35 minutes?
Quick Tips to Remember
✓ The greater than sign (>) looks like the letter “G” on its side – G for Greater!
✓ The sign always opens toward the BIGGER number
✓ When the numbers are the same, use the equal sign (=)
✓ Count up from the smaller number to the bigger number if you’re not sure
Summary
- > means “greater than” (bigger)
- < means “less than” (smaller)
- = means “equal to” (the same)
- Remember: The sign opens toward the bigger number!
- Compare tens first, then ones for two-digit numbers
Great job learning to compare numbers! Keep practicing and you’ll be a comparing expert!
Identify the bigger number and smaller number-2
In this worksheet, the child has to mark which number is bigger or smaller with the help of the sign > or <.
No. of sheets- 1
