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Basic 3 · Mathematics · Counting and Representation

Comparing and Ordering Numbers

In this topic you will compare and order numbers up to 10,000 using >, < and =.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Compare two numbers using >, < and =
  • Order numbers from smallest to largest
  • Order numbers from largest to smallest

What you already know

  • Describing numbers

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Number
Sub-strand
Counting and Representation
Indicator
B3.1.1.1.4 – Compare and order whole numbers up to, 10,000 and represent comparisons using the symbols >, < or =

Introduction

Kumasi Zoo had 3,450 visitors on Saturday and 3,540 on Sunday. Which day had more visitors? Let us compare.

1. The Signs

Comparison signs
SignMeaningExample
>greater than5,000 > 4,999
<less than2,310 < 2,350
=equal to1,000 = 10 hundreds

Tip: The open side of > or < faces the bigger number, like a hungry crocodile's mouth.

2. How to Compare

  1. Compare the thousands digits first.
  2. If they are the same, compare the hundreds.
  3. If they are the same, compare the tens, then the ones.

Example

Compare 3,450 and 3,540.

  1. Thousands: 3 and 3 are the same.
  2. Hundreds: 4 and 5; 5 is bigger.

Answer: 3,540 > 3,450. Sunday had more visitors.

A crocodile mouth opening towards the bigger number
Figure 1: Greater than and less than Draw the crocodile sign for 2,019 and 2,091.Illustration: Sirbus

3. Ordering Numbers

Example

Order from smallest to largest: 4,120; 1,420; 2,140; 4,012.

  1. Thousands: 1,420 has 1; 2,140 has 2; the others have 4.
  2. Compare 4,120 and 4,012: hundreds 1 and 0, so 4,012 is smaller.

Answer: 1,420; 2,140; 4,012; 4,120

New words

compare
To find which is bigger or smaller.
greater than
Bigger than (>).
less than
Smaller than (<).
order
To arrange in a row by size.

Summary

  • > means greater than; < means less than; = means equal.
  • Compare from the biggest place value first.
  • Order numbers by comparing each place.

Class activity: Line Up

  1. Each person picks a 4-digit number card.
  2. Stand in a line from smallest to largest.
  3. Check with the place value rule.

You need: Place-value chart on manila card, Locally made large-number cards, Exercise books

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which sign makes this true? 6,201 ___ 6,102

    • A. >
    • B. <
    • C. =
    • D. +
    Show answer
    Answer: >2 hundreds is more than 1 hundred.

  2. 2. Which number is the smallest?

    • A. 5,099
    • B. 5,909
    • C. 5,990
    • D. 9,055
    Show answer
    Answer: 5,099Compare hundreds: 0 is smallest.

  3. 3. 7,000 > 6,999

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: True7 thousands is more than 6 thousands.

  4. 4. 4,560 < 4,506

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: False4,560 is greater because 6 tens > 0 tens.

  5. 5. 3,000 ______ 30 hundreds (write >, < or =)

    Show answer
    Answer: =30 hundreds is 3,000.

  6. 6. Order from largest to smallest: 8,014; 8,410; 8,140.

    Show answer
    Answer: 8,410; 8,140; 8,014Compare hundreds: 4, 1, 0.

Homework

  1. Find the prices of three items in a shop or advert. Order them from cheapest to dearest.