To compare two numbers, start at the biggest place and work down.
To compare two numbers, start at the biggest place and work down.
Compare the hundreds first. If they match, compare the tens. If those match too, compare the ones.
Higher rows count for more, so a number with fewer beads can still be the bigger number.
Like a hungry crab, the claws of greater than and less than always face the bigger number.
These are some of the questions on the sets. The printable sheets have more, with the bead frame drawn for each, and an answer key.
681. Both have 6 hundreds, then 8 tens beat 1 ten.
509. Five hundreds beat four hundreds, even though 499 has more beads across.
452. A hundred more changes only the hundreds row: 352 + 100 = 452.
805. Both have 8 hundreds. No tens is fewer than five tens.
Ask a grown-up to help you make two three-digit numbers with cards or a die. Say them aloud, hundreds first, and decide which is bigger by checking the biggest place first. Then swap!
Roll a die three times to make a three-digit number, then do it again. Say both aloud, hundreds first, and decide which is bigger.
