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Grade 2 · Maths · Lessons
Which number is bigger
🔢digits🐊greater than⚖️equal📏place value
Bigger, smaller, equal.
The big ideaHundreds first. The first place that differs decides.

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.

253• 2 hundreds• 5 tens• 3 ones276• 2 hundreds• 7 tens• 6 ones
253 and 276 have the same hundreds, so the tens decide.

Example 1: Hundreds are different

  1. 580 ? 673
  2. Look at the hundreds first.
  3. They are different, so the bigger hundreds is the bigger number.
  4. So the answer is <.

Example 2: Hundreds are the same

  1. 253 ? 276
  2. The hundreds match, so look at the tens.
  3. The bigger tens digit makes the bigger number.
  4. So the answer is <.

Example 3: Zeros in the middle

  1. 140 ? 104
  2. Compare the hundreds, then the tens, then the ones.
  3. A zero in the tens place is still a place. It holds the tens at 0.
  4. So the answer is >.

Words to know

greater than
More than. We write >.
less than
Fewer than. We write <.
digit
One of the symbols 0 to 9.

Watch out

Try it

  1. 554 ? 554
  2. 999 ? 945
  3. 955 ? 923
Answers: 1. = · 2. > · 3. >
For grown-upsWrite two three-digit numbers on paper and cover all but the hundreds. Reveal one place at a time and ask 'do we know yet?'
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