Comparing And Ordering Numbers

Comparing Numbers

When we compare numbers, there are three possibilities:

• The first number is greater than the second (4 > 2).
• The second number is greater than the first (2 < 3)
• The two numbers are equal (6 = 6)

Example:

Which number is smaller, 246 738 or 246 951?

Solution:

Line up the digits.

Compare the digits starting from the left. Find the first place that they differ

In this example, the digits in the hundreds place are not the same.

7 is smaller than 9.

So, 246 738 is smaller than 246 951.

Ordering Numbers

When ordering numbers, we can compare the numbers two at a time. We can also use the following method.

Example:

Arrange the following numbers in increasing order

425 876, 425 987, 425 856

Solution:

Line up the numbers vertically

Compare the digits starting from the left.

Arranging the numbers in increasing order, we get

425 856, 425 876, 425 987

The following video shows how to compare and order a given set of numbers.

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