Compare 999 and 1,002

Step by step

The question

Question: compare 999 and 1,002.

1 Line up the places

We line up the ones under the ones, the tens under the tens, and so on.

2 Compare from the left

1,002 has more digits than 999.

More digits means bigger.

So 1,002 is greater than 999.

3 Write it with a sign

So 999 < 1,002.

Careful!

999 has big digits, but fewer of them.

A number with more digits is bigger.

4 Check

On a number line, smaller numbers are to the left.

Left to right: 999, 1,002.

The same order.

Yes!

It works.

Let's look back.

First: line up the places.

Then: compare from the left.

Then: write it with a sign.

Last: check.