Compare and Order Whole Numbers Teaching Resources
Teach how to compare and order whole numbers this school year with printable worksheets, digital activities and more teacher-created resources.
Designed to help students understand the relative size of numbers and learn to arrange them in ascending or descending order, this collection of resources has everything you'll need to build your maths lesson plans!
Is this your first year teaching students how to compare whole numbers and order them? Or perhaps you are just looking for some quick tips to help you plan? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a look at the different maths comparison symbols!
What Is a Comparison Symbol in Maths? A Kid-Friendly Explanation
Key to teaching kids how to compare numbers is an explanation of the different comparison symbols that they can use to represent the relationships between different whole numbers.
There are three main comparison symbols or signs that we use in maths:
1. Greater Than Sign
The symbol > is known as the greater than sign in maths.
When the greater than sign is used to compare numbers, it tells us the number on the left is larger or greater than the number on the right.
2. Less Than Sign
The symbol < is known as the less than sign in maths.
When we are comparing whole numbers, we can use the less than sign to show that the number on the left is smaller or less than the number on the right.
3. Equal Sign
The final sign or symbol used when comparing whole numbers is known as the equal sign, and it looks like this: =.
We use an equal sign to express that two numbers are exactly the same or equal to one another.
How to Compare Whole Numbers — A Step-By-Step Guide for Kids
Now that we've looked at the different signs that are used when we're comparing whole numbers, how do you actually do it?
Here are some steps that kids can take!
1. Compare Digits at the Same Place Value
Start by comparing the digits at the same place value from left to right.
Look at the digits in the ones place first, then the tens place, hundreds place, and so on.
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Ordering Numbers PowerPoint
Help your students understand the concept of number sequencing with an interactive instructional slide deck.
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Caterpillar Ordering Numbers Worksheet - Dot Day Activity
A number sequencing activity with 3 different levels of complexity.
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Which Is More? Card Game
A set of cards for students to practise comparing and ordering collections to 20.
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Number Line Bubble Drop - Ordering Activity
Practise ordering whole numbers on a number line with a fun ocean-themed interactive activity.
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Number Talks - Comparing Numbers Task Cards
Build number sense skills with this set of 24 task cards.
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Comparing Three-digit Numbers – Worksheet
Practise comparing three-digit numbers with this hands-on worksheet.
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Comparing Two Digit Numbers — Clash Game for Year 1
Practise comparing two-digit numbers with the help of this year 1 board game.
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Comparing 3-Digit Numbers – Self-Checking Interactive Activity
Practise comparing 3-digit numbers with this self-checking interactive activity.
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Gingerbread Man Sequencing Puzzle - Numbers 1-10
A fun sequencing puzzle using numbers 1-10.
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Comparing Numbers Board Game
A hands-on Board Game to practise comparing numbers less than ten.
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Comparing Numbers-Halloween Word Problems
Practise comparing numbers using MAB blocks with a Halloween Maths word problem worksheet.
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Comparing Numbers Christmas Game
Have some Christmas maths fun with an interactive, self-checking comparing numbers game.
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Comparing Numbers - Halloween Maths Worksheets
Comparing numbers just got a little creepier with exciting Halloween-themed kindergarten maths worksheet.
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Halloween Comparing Numbers Worksheet
Have a spooktacular time practising number comparisons with a count and compare Halloween maths worksheet.
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Halloween Comparing Numbers Worksheet - Ten Frames
Model and compare numbers to twenty using ten frames with a fun and engaging Halloween maths worksheet.
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Valentine's Day Comparing Numbers to 10 Task Cards
Model and compare numbers to ten with a fun set of Valentine’s Day Maths task cards.