In this activity, you will compare and order lengths and masses with the use of signs >, < and = .
> means greater than.
< means smaller than.
Remember that the biggest number is always at the big opening. Think of this as being like a crocodile who is always hungry - his open mouth always gobbles up the bigger number.
Lengths
10 millimetres (mm) = 1 centimetre (cm)
100 centimetres (cm) = 1 metre (m)
Masses
1000 grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
Example 1
Fill in the missing symbol: >, < or =
A stamp is 20 mm high
A sticker is 3 cm high.
height of stamp height of sticker
Answer
The stamp is 20 mm high.
The sticker is 30 mm high. 3 cm = 30 mm because 1 cm = 10 mm.
20 is less than 30.
20 mm < 30 mm.
height of stamp height of sticker
Example 2
Fill in the missing symbol.
A packet of crisps has a mass of 200 g.
A bag of flour has a mass of 1 kg.
mass of flour mass of crisps
Answer
The crisps have a mass of 200 g.
The flour has a mass of 1000 g because 1 kg is 1000 g.
1000 is more than 200.
1000 g > 200 g.
mass of flour mass of crisps
Are you ready to have a go at some questions now?