Worked examples
The question
Question: compare 3 and 5.
Which is more?
Compare 3 and 5
1 Make two rows
2 Match them up
Match each red dot with a blue dot.
3 Write it with a sign
3 is less than 5.
We write 3 < 5.
3 < 5
The sign < means less than.
The sign > means greater than.
Greater means more.
The open side faces the bigger number.
< less than
> greater than
Careful!
The open side faces the bigger number.
5 is bigger.
Careful: not 3 > 5 ✗
4 Check
On the number line, bigger numbers are to the right.
Yes!
It works.
5 is right of 3
Let's look back.
First: make two rows.
Then: match them up.
Then: write it with a sign.
Last: check.
Answer Careful: not 3 > 5 ✗
▶ Watch it solved
The question
Question: compare 7 and 12.
Which is more?
Compare 7 and 12
1 Make two rows
2 Match them up
Match each red dot with a blue dot.
3 Write it with a sign
7 is less than 12.
We write 7 < 12.
7 < 12
The sign < means less than.
The sign > means greater than.
Greater means more.
The open side faces the bigger number.
< less than
> greater than
Careful!
The open side faces the bigger number.
12 is bigger.
Careful: not 7 > 12 ✗
4 Check
On the number line, bigger numbers are to the right.
Yes!
It works.
12 is right of 7
Let's look back.
First: make two rows.
Then: match them up.
Then: write it with a sign.
Last: check.
Answer Careful: not 7 > 12 ✗
▶ Watch it solved
The question
Question: compare 35 and 53.
Which is more?
Compare 35 and 53
1 Show the tens and ones
35 is 3 tens and 5 ones.
53 is 5 tens and 3 ones.
2 Compare the tens
Look at the tens first.
3 tens is less than 5 tens.
So 53 is more.
3 tens < 5 tens
3 Write it with a sign
35 is less than 53.
We write 35 < 53.
35 < 53
The sign < means less than.
The sign > means greater than.
Greater means more.
The open side faces the bigger number.
< less than
> greater than
Careful!
35 has more ones.
But the tens count more.
5 tens is more than 3 tens.
Careful: not 35 > 53 ✗
4 Check
On the number line, bigger numbers are to the right.
Yes!
It works.
53 is right of 35
Let's look back.
First: show the tens and ones.
Then: compare the tens.
Then: write it with a sign.
Last: check.
Answer Careful: not 35 > 53 ✗
▶ Watch it solved
