Step by step
The question
Question: compare 34 and 39.
Which is more?
Compare 34 and 39
1 Show the tens and ones
34 is 3 tens and 4 ones.
39 is 3 tens and 9 ones.
2 Compare the tens
Look at the tens first.
Both have 3 tens.
The tens are the same.
3 tens = 3 tens
3 Compare the ones
Now the ones.
4 ones is less than 9 ones.
4 ones < 9 ones
4 Write it with a sign
34 is less than 39.
We write 34 < 39.
34 < 39
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.
39 is bigger.
Careful: not 34 > 39 ✗
5 Check
On the number line, bigger numbers are to the right.
Yes!
It works.
39 is right of 34
Let's look back.
First: show the tens and ones.
Then: compare the tens.
Then: compare the ones.
Then: write it with a sign.
Last: check.
Answer
Careful: not 34 > 39 ✗