Comparing and Ordering Numbers

Let’s explore comparing numbers in this post. We need to compare numbers because different numbers are used to represent different groups of objects or quantities.

The basic rule to compare numbers is that more the digits in a number, greater is the number.

For example; 234 have three digits and 98 have two digits, so 234 is greater than 98.

3 489 is larger than 899 because 3 489 have more digits as compared to 899.

Now, what about the numbers with same number of digits?

Yes, this needs extra skills and more practice. When two numbers have the same number of digits then we compare each corresponding digit from left to right for both the numbers and number with the first greater digit is greater.

For example; let’s compare 638 and 671. Both the numbers have three digits. So we start to compare each digit of these numbers from left to right.

The far left digit for both the numbers is 6 which is at hundreds place. This means we can’t decide by looking at hundreds as both the numbers got equal number of hundreds (600). So, we move further towards right, to tens place. 671 have more tens as compared to 638 hence 671 is greater than 638.

Now we can use greater than symbol as shown below:

671 > 638 This is read as “671 is greater than 638”

Example 2: Compare 45 892 and 45 940

Solution: Both the numbers have same ten thousands = 40 000 or 4 ten thousands

Both the numbers got same thousands = 5000 or 5 thousands

But 45 940 has more hundreds (900) as compared to 45 892 which has 800.

Therefore 45 940 is greater than 45 892

So, 45 940 > 45 892

Remember: The sign opens towards the larger number and points towards smaller number. (Greater than sign > and Less than sign <)

Below is another lesson on the concept;