How it works
Compare the hundreds first. If they are different, you are done.
If the hundreds match, compare the tens. Then the ones.
Use > for greater than, < for less than, and = for the same. The open mouth faces the bigger number.
Worked examples
Hundreds are different
- 580 ? 673
- Look at the hundreds first.
- They are different, so the bigger hundreds is the bigger number.
- So the answer is <.
Hundreds are the same
- 253 ? 276
- The hundreds match, so look at the tens.
- The bigger tens digit makes the bigger number.
- So the answer is <.
Zeros in the middle
- 140 ? 104
- Compare the hundreds, then the tens, then the ones.
- A zero in the tens place is still a place. It holds the tens at 0.
- So the answer is >.
A taste of the worksheet
These are the first problems of set A. The printable sheet has many more, with an answer key.
- 622 __ 249
- 402 __ 722
- 104 __ 204
- 948 __ 139
- 896 __ 235