⭐ COMPARING NUMBERS ⭐

We compare numbers to know which is greater, smaller or equal.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

When we compare two numbers, we see which number is:

  • Greater ( > ) — means bigger
  • Smaller ( < ) — means less
  • Equal ( = ) — means the same
We compare numbers digit by digit from left to right. (From the highest place value).
SYMBOLS WE USE
Greater Than
>
Example:
52 > 36
(52 is greater than 36)
Smaller Than
<
Example:
18 < 25
(18 is smaller than 25)
Equal To
=
Example:
77 = 77
(77 is equal to 77)
🐊 CROCODILE RULE (ALLIGATOR METHOD)

The hungry crocodile's mouth always opens to eat the BIGGER number.

Greater Than ( > )

Mouth opens to the left because bigger number is on the left.

9 > 2

Smaller Than ( < )

Mouth opens to the right because bigger number is on the right.

3 < 7

Equal To ( = )

Numbers are equal. Crocodile is happy and takes a nap!

4 = 4
💡 QUICK FACTS
  • ★ Always compare from the leftmost digit (highest place value).
  • ★ If the digits are the same, move to the next place value.
  • ★ The number with more digits is always greater.
  • ★ If all digits are the same, the numbers are equal.
2-DIGIT NUMBERS (EXAMPLES)
No. Number 1 Number 2 Comparison Result
112812 > 812 is greater
2452745 > 2745 is greater
3366336 < 6336 is smaller
4747474 = 74Numbers are equal
5291929 > 1929 is greater
3-DIGIT NUMBERS (EXAMPLES)
No. Number 1 Number 2 Comparison Result
112398123 > 98123 is greater
2456389456 > 389456 is greater
3267672267 < 672267 is smaller
4555555555 = 555Numbers are equal
5712709712 > 709712 is greater
4-DIGIT NUMBERS (EXAMPLES)
No. Number 1 Number 2 Comparison Result
11,2349871,234 > 9871,234 is greater
24,5673,8904,567 > 3,8904,567 is greater
32,3452,5432,345 < 2,5432,345 is smaller
46,6666,6666,666 = 6,666Numbers are equal
59,2158,9999,215 > 8,9999,215 is greater
5-DIGIT NUMBERS (EXAMPLES)
No. Number 1 Number 2 Comparison Result
112,3459,87612,345 > 9,87612,345 is greater
245,67834,56745,678 > 34,56745,678 is greater
323,45623,65423,456 < 23,65423,456 is smaller
488,88888,88888,888 = 88,888Numbers are equal
598,76598,76098,765 > 98,76098,765 is greater
HOW TO COMPARE NUMBERS?
1Compare the digits in the highest place value.
2If the digits are different, the number with the greater digit is greater.
Example: Compare 372 and 298
Hundreds: 3 > 2, so 372 > 298
(We don't need to check tens and ones)
3If the digits are the same, move to the next place value and compare.
Example: Compare 428 and 421
Hundreds: 4 = 4 (same)
Tens: 2 = 2 (same)
Ones: 8 > 1, so 428 > 421
💡 TIPS TO REMEMBER
  • ✔ Look at the highest place value first.
  • ✔ If not same, decide immediately.
  • ✔ If same, move to the next place value.
  • ✔ More digits = Greater number.
    Example: 345 > 98
  • ✔ Same number of digits? Compare from left to right.
✏️ PRACTICE TIME!

A. Compare the following
(2-digit numbers)

1. 2319
2. 4554
3. 3636
4. 7867
5. 9089
(Use > , < or =)

B. Compare the following
(3-digit numbers)

1. 123132
2. 456465
3. 309390
4. 578578
5. 692629
(Use > , < or =)

C. Compare the following
(4-digit numbers)

1. 1,2341,243
2. 2,3452,354
3. 4,6784,679
4. 6,7896,789
5. 8,2158,125
(Use > , < or =)

D. Compare the following
(5-digit numbers)

1. 12,34512,435
2. 23,45632,456
3. 45,67845,687
4. 67,89067,890
5. 98,76598,675
(Use > , < or =)