Comparing Numbers

Comparing numbers is an integral part of number sense. Understanding the mathematical concepts of "greater than" and "less than" helps deepen students understanding of place value and develop skills for making logical guesses.

Students begin by comparing numbers less than ten, and when they start to understand the tens place, 100's place, and so on, they can compare larger numbers. An important application and solidification of place value arise in the comparison of numbers greater than 10. In comparing 56 and 8, children can see that the first number has two digits, and the second number has one digit. They will conclude that 56 is greater than 8 (56 > 8). This understanding let us know that the students understand the 2-digit number the 5 in the 10's place is greater than the greatest 1-digit number in the units place (9), the least 3-digit number (100) is greater than the greatest 2-digit number (99), and so on. Ensuring that students understand comparing numbers and digit place value is a concept that seems simple, but a lot of students struggle to learn this concept of place value and comparing numbers...visualize, practice, and practice some more helps solidify the concept.

The use of a number line allows children to develop the sense of order of numbers. Indicating the position of a number relative to another number as before, after, or between enhances development of vocabulary. I also love to use place value charts with base ten blocks. There is unlimited resources on the internet.