Compare 29 and 31

Step by step

The question

Question: compare 29 and 31.

Which is more?

1 Show the tens and ones

29 is 2 tens and 9 ones.

31 is 3 tens and 1 one.

2 Compare the tens

Look at the tens first.

2 tens is less than 3 tens.

So 31 is more.

3 Write it with a sign

29 is less than 31.

We write 29 < 31.

The sign < means less than.

The sign > means greater than.

Greater means more.

The open side faces the bigger number.

Careful!

29 has more ones.

But the tens count more.

3 tens is more than 2 tens.

4 Check

On the number line, bigger numbers are to the right.

Yes!

It works.

Let's look back.

First: show the tens and ones.

Then: compare the tens.

Then: write it with a sign.

Last: check.