🔢 MathLevel 1Lesson 3
← Back🔒 PDF with full access

Comparing Numbers (More or Less)

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Look at two numbers
  • 2Say which is more and which is less
  • 3Explain how you know using counting or a number line
  • 4Recognize when two numbers are equal
📘

Mini Lesson

Which pile of grapes is bigger — 3 or 7? Numbers tell us how many, and we can always compare them to find out which is more and which is less!

What "more" means

  • A number is more when it is further along in the counting order.
  • Example: 7 is more than 3 because we say 7 after 3 when counting.
  • On a number line, the number further to the right is always more.

What "less" means

  • A number is less when it comes earlier in the counting order.
  • Example: 3 is less than 7 because 3 comes before 7.
  • On a number line, the number further to the left is always less.

Two ways to compare

  • Count objects: Line them up and see which group has leftovers.
  • Use the number line: The number on the right is always more.

When numbers are equal

  • If two numbers are the same — like 5 and 5 — they are equal.
  • Neither is more and neither is less.
Number line comparing 3 and 7A number line from 0 to 10 with 3 marked in orange and 7 marked in blue, showing that 7 is further right and therefore more than 3.Number Line — Who is more?01234567893 — less7 — morefurther right = moreThe RuleRight on the number line = MORELeft on the number line = LESSSame position = EQUAL
A number line from 0–9 showing 3 (orange) and 7 (blue) — 7 is further right so it is more.
Comparing 4 apples and 9 applesTwo groups of apples — 4 on the left and 9 on the right — with labels showing which group is less and which is more.Compare by counting objects🍎🍎🍎🍎4LESS🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎9MOREvs9 is more because it comes later when counting.
Two groups of apples — 4 (less) on the left and 9 (more) on the right.
💡

Ask yourself: "Which number comes later when I count? That one is more!"

Vocabulary
More
A number further along in the counting ordere.g. 7 is more than 3
Less
A number earlier in the counting ordere.g. 3 is less than 7
Equal
Two numbers that are the samee.g. 5 = 5
Free · 7 days · No credit card

Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.

Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.

  • ✓ All 1,680 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
  • ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
  • ✓ Printable lessons with answer key
Start your 7-day free trial →
Already convinced? See full membership plans →
← Lesson 2: Writing Numbers NeatlyLesson 4: Skip Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s →