Compare Whole Numbers

​Use place value to help you!

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​First, line up the numbers according to their place value.

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​Next start at the left side of the number and compare each place to decide which number has a higher value.

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​Once you have figured out which number has a higher value in a certain place, then you know which number is bigger.

​Our family is planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon. One route is 840 miles. A second route is 835 miles. Which route is shorter?

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​First line up the number according to place value, then compare numbers from the left.

​​840

​835

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​They both have 8 in the hundreds place, the top number has a 4 in the tens place and the bottom number has a 3 in the tens place. So 835 is the shorter route.

​After you have decided which number is larger, draw two dots beside it.

​Draw one dot next to the smaller number, then connect the dots.

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​Remember the open "mouth" always eats the bigger number.

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​The less than sign looks like a capital "L".

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​Now let's practice comparing numbers...