Number sense - Comparing numbers

​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.

​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.

​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.

​Comparing larger numbers

​You can compare larger numbers in the same way. Let's try it with 31,023,399 and 31,039,300.

​Comparison symbols

​You can use words or symbols to compare numbers.

​How do you put numbers in order?

​You can order numbers by listing them from least to greatest.
Let's try an example. Put these numbers in order from least to greatest.
241, 28, 248
First, find the least number. Notice that 28 does not have any hundreds.
The least number is 28.
The numbers 241 and 248 are left. Compare the digits in each place, starting at the greatest place value.
241 is less than 248.
So, here are the numbers in order from least to greatest:
28, 241, 248