Numbers to 1000
Comparing and ordering
When you know the value of each digit in a 3-digit number, you can compare numbers and put them in order.
Compare digit by digit
To compare two 3-digit numbers, look at the value of each digit in turn. ā¢ Start with the hundreds. ā¢ If the hundreds are the same, compare the tens. ā¢ If the tens are the same, compare the ones. Example: 643 and 683 both have 6 hundreds, so compare the tens. 8 tens beats 4 tens, so 683 is greater.
The symbols < and >
We use two symbols to compare numbers: ā¢ < means 'is less than' ā¢ > means 'is greater than' The wide open end always faces the bigger number. Example: 375 < 475 and 643 > 458.
Ordering numbers
To order numbers, compare them and line them up. ā¢ Smallest to greatest starts with the smallest number. ā¢ Greatest to smallest starts with the biggest number. On a number line, a smaller number comes before a larger one. 375 comes before 475.
Worked examples
Choosing < or >
- Compare 375 and 475.
- 375 has 3 hundreds and 475 has 4 hundreds, so 375 is less.
Answer: 375 < 475.
Comparing when hundreds are equal
- Compare 883 and 833.
- Both have 8 hundreds, so compare tens: 8 tens beats 3 tens.
Answer: 883 > 833.
Ordering smallest to greatest
- Order 679, 475, 621, 38, 563.
- 38 is the only 2-digit number, then compare hundreds of the rest.
Answer: 38, 475, 563, 621, 679.
Where you see this in real life
- Deciding which of two house numbers is bigger.
- Putting page numbers in order.
- Lining up scores from smallest to biggest.
Key words
- Compare
- To decide which number is bigger or smaller.
- Inequality
- A statement that one number is greater than or less than another.
- is less than, <
- The symbol < shows the first number is smaller.
- is greater than, >
- The symbol > shows the first number is bigger.
- Order
- To arrange numbers from smallest to greatest or greatest to smallest.