Comparing Numbers

✨ Section 1: What Does It Mean to Compare Numbers?

When we compare numbers, we look at how big or small they are.

We ask:

• Is one number greater than the other?
  
  

• Is one number less than the other?
  
  

• Are the two numbers equal?
  
  

🔍 Section 2: The Symbols We Use

We use three special symbols to compare numbers:

Symbol

Meaning

Example

>

Greater than

7 > 5 (7 is greater than 5)

<

Less than

3 < 8 (3 is less than 8)

=

Equal to

6 = 6 (same value)

🧠 A helpful tip:

The big side of the symbol always points to the bigger number.
The small side points to the smaller number.

🍽️ Section 3: The Hungry Alligator Trick (optional visual aid)

Imagine the symbol is a hungry alligator’s mouth.
The alligator always wants to eat the bigger number!

So in:

• 4 __ 9 → the alligator eats 9 → 4 < 9
  
  

• 8 __ 3 → the alligator eats 8 → 8 > 3
  
  

👉 4 < 9
👉 8 > 3

🔢 Section 4: Comparing with Objects or Pictures

Start with pictures if numbers feel tricky.
Example:

• 🟡🟡🟡 (3 circles)
  
  

• 🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡 (5 circles)
  
  

Count each group.
👉 3 < 5
👉 So 5 is greater than 3

✏️ Section 5: Practice – Fill in the Blank

Fill in the blank with >, <, or =:

1. 6 __ 4
   
   

2. 3 __ 3
   
   

3. 2 __ 9
   
   

4. 10 __ 7
   
   

5. 5 __ 12
   
   

Answer Key:

1. =
   
   

2. <
   
   

3. <
   
   

🎯 Section 6: Why Is Comparing Numbers Important?

Comparing helps us:

• Decide who has more or less
  
  

• Solve real-world problems
  
  

• Get ready for adding and subtracting
  
  

• Build number sense
  
  

It’s a skill we use in shopping, games, measuring, and math stories!

🧠 Section 7: Key Tips to Remember

• Use your fingers, blocks, or a number line to compare
  
  

• The larger number goes where the alligator eats
  
  

• If the numbers are the same, use the equals sign (=)