Comparing and Ordering Whole Numbers
What you'll learn: You'll discover how to tell which numbers are bigger or smaller and how to put them in order from least to greatest (or vice versa).
Understanding Bigger and Smaller
When you compare two whole numbers, you're figuring out which one is worth more. Think of it like two piles of blocks—the pile with more blocks is the bigger number.
To compare numbers, we use place value. Start by looking at the digits from left to right:
The Process
- Compare hundreds first (if both numbers have hundreds)
- If hundreds are equal, compare tens
- If tens are equal, compare ones
Example: Compare 247 and 253
- Hundreds: both have 2 → equal, keep going
- Tens: 4 vs. 5 → 4 is less than 5
- So 247 is less than 253
Using Comparison Symbols
We use special symbols to show relationships:
- < means "less than" (the smaller side points to the smaller number)
- > means "greater than"
- = means "equal to"
Think of < and > as an alligator's mouth that always wants to eat the bigger number!
- 35 < 42 (35 is less than 42)
- 78 > 69 (78 is greater than 69)
- 50 = 50 (50 equals 50)
Ordering Numbers
To arrange numbers from least to greatest, compare them using place value and line them up from smallest to largest.
Example: Order 82, 28, 91, 67
- 28 (smallest—tens digit is 2)
- 67 (tens digit is 6)
- 82 (tens digit is 8)
- 91 (largest—tens digit is 9)
Key Takeaway: Use place value to compare numbers digit by digit from left to right, then use <, >, or = to show the relationship, or arrange them in order from smallest to largest.