About Comparison of Numbers in Math
What is the Comparison of Numbers?
When we have two numbers side by side and we have to check which is larger or smaller, that leads us to the comparison of numbers. Take the example of toys. Sara has 15 toys, and Jessica has 21. Then who among these two friends has more toys? This is where a comparison of numbers is needed.
When we compare two numbers, the first number can be either larger, smaller or equal to the second number.
Examples of Number Comparisons
Here, as you can see, 8 apples is more than 3 apples. This also shows us that 8 as a number is greater than 3.
The first number may also be smaller than the second number while comparing two numbers.
Here, as you can see, 3 apples are less than 8 apples.
Numbers in comparison can be equal to each other as well.
Here, as you can see, 8 is equal to 8.
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Different Kinds of Comparisons of Numbers
- Place Value
When comparing numbers based on place values, begin with the greatest place value. Then compare the digits in the position with the greatest place value. If these digits are the same, continue to the next smaller place until the digits are different. Have a look at the numbers below.
Numbers | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|
35 | 3 | 5 |
56 | 5 | 6 |
59 | 5 | 9 |
Look at tens place. 5 tens is greater than 3 tens. So, 56 and 59 are greater than 35.
Now for the numbers 56 and 59, the tens places are the same. So, let’s compare the ones places. Then, 9 ones will be greater than 6 ones. So, 59 is greater than 56.
- Number Line
The numbers on a number line become larger as we move to the right. Here is an example:
From the above image, 3 is less than 8 as 8 is towards the right of the number line as compared to 3 which is towards the left.
- Using Symbols
While comparing numbers, we use the following symbols:
> < =
Where,
‘>’ denotes the “greater than symbol“. For example, 4 > 1.
‘<‘ denotes the “lesser than symbol“. For example, 1 < 4.
‘=’ denotes the “equal to” symbol. For example, 2 = 2.
Remember, for greater than and less than symbols, the wide open mouth of the symbol always faces the large number.
Solved Number Comparing Examples
Example 1: Compare: 8 and 12.
Solution: 8 is a single digit number whereas 12 is a two-digit number. So, 8 < 12.
Example 2: For a school exhibition, Group A made 26 posters and Group B made 35 posters. Which group made fewer posters?
Solution: To find the smaller number, you need to compare the numbers that are given in the question. Is 26 greater than, less than or equal to 35?
26 < 35
So, Group A made fewer posters.
Example 3: On Wednesday, Mary read 6 chapters for her test. On Friday, she read 2 chapters. On which day did Mary read more chapters?
Solution: In order to find out when Mary read more chapters, you have to find the greater number. You have to compare between 5 and 4. 5 is greater than 4, 5 > 4. Mary read more chapters on Wednesday.
Example 4: You have 45 chocolates. Your friend has 56 chocolates. Who has more chocolates?
Solution: To find who has more chocolates, first compare the numbers and find out which number is greater.
Here, 56 is greater than 45. So, 56 > 45. Your friend has more chocolates.
Example 5: Compare: 87 and 83.
Solution: Using the place value method of comparison,
8 7 8 3
8 tens 7 ones 8 tens 3 ones
Since the tens digits are the same, the ones digits should be compared.
So, 7 is greater than 3, 7 > 3.
That means, 87 is greater than 83, 87 > 83.
We should always remember that a number with more digits is always greater than the number with a lesser number of digits. If the two numbers have the same number of digits, we start comparing the digits from the “leftmost” place until we come across unequal digits.
Comparing numbers enables elementary students to have a strong sense of numbers. By building their number sense, students will be able to recognize numbers easily, understand their value and their relationship with other numbers.
One of the best lessons of comparing numbers is by introducing real objects. While using real objects, you can place them in boxes and ask the students or children in general to compare and state which number is greater or lesser than the other numbers. There are fun games such as UNO which can be effective while introducing comparison of numbers.
The comparison symbols, >, <, and = are used to compare two things in math.