Place value
Place value means a digit's value depends on its position in a number. In 352, the 3 is worth 300, the 5 is worth 50 and the 2 is worth 2.
Maths · Ages 6–7 · 45 minutes
Comparing numbers with <, > and =
Children compare two-digit numbers using tens first and write the comparison with <, > or =.
Success criteria
- I can compare the tens first
- I can look at the ones when the tens match
- I can use < > and = correctly
Key vocabulary
- greater than
- less than
- equal to
- compare
- more
- fewer
- symbol
You will need
- base-ten blocks or straw bundles
- a number line 0–100
- symbol cards < > =
- mini whiteboards
Curriculum links
- Year 2· England
- Grade 1· United States
- Primary 2· Nigeria
- Class 2· India
Practice sheets
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Count and compare
Greater, less or equal
Greater, less or equal
1.Starter
7 minutesShow two groups of cubes: 6 and 9. "Which group has more? How do you know?" Then two towers: 14 and 41. Children decide without counting each cube. Someone will say "the one with 4 tens", which is exactly where the lesson goes.
Quick whiteboard round: "Write a number bigger than 30 but smaller than 40."
2.Teach
12 minutesWrite 47 and 52 on the board. Build each with tens and ones.
"To compare, I look at the tens first because tens are worth more. 47 has 4 tens; 52 has 5 tens. Five tens is more, so 52 is greater. I don't need to look at the ones."
Write 47 < 52. "The symbol is like an arrow. The pointy end points at the smaller number, and the open side faces the bigger one. Read it from left to right: 47 is less than 52."
Step by step
- Compare the tensThe number with more tens is greater.
- If the tens match, compare the ones63 and 68 both have 6 tens, so look at the ones.
- Choose the symbolThe open side faces the greater number. If they're the same, use =.
Then try 63 and 68 together: tens match, 3 ones is less than 8 ones, so 63 < 68. Finally, show 29 and 92. "Same digits. Which is greater? Why?" Place a dot for each on the number line to check.
