In this activity, we will be comparing two numbers and selecting the correct statement using the symbols:

 

< (less than) 

> (greater than)

 

Example 1

Compare:

475 and 511

 

Answer

Compare the hundreds digits.

The one with the smaller hundreds digit is the smaller number.

 

475 is less than 511.

 

475 < 511

 

 

511 is greater than 475.

 

511 > 475

 

Example 2

Compare:

396 and 348

 

Answer

Compare the hundreds digits.

They are the same. So...

 

Compare the tens digits.

The one with the larger tens digit is the larger number.

 

396 is greater than 348.

 

396 > 348

 

 

348 is less than 396.

 

348 < 396

 

Example 3

Compare:

526 and 523

 

Answer

Compare the hundreds digits.

They are the same. So...

 

Compare the tens digits.

They are the same. So...

 

Compare the ones digits.

The one with the larger ones digit is the larger number.

 

526 is greater than 523.

 

526 > 523

 

523 is less than 526.

 

523 < 526

 

That included a lot of examples, so remember that you can look at this introduction again if you need to by clicking on the red help button on the screen.