Compare and Order Whole Numbers

When you compare whole numbers, you decide which is bigger, which is smaller, or whether they are the same. Line up the digits by place value and start at the greatest place. The first place where the digits differ tells you which number is greater.

The Three Comparison Symbols

• The < symbol means "less than": the smaller number goes on the left, like 4,500 < 8,200.
• The > symbol means "greater than": the larger number goes on the left, like 25,500 > 12,000.
• The = symbol means "equal to": both numbers have the exact same value, like 500,000 = 500,000.
• A trick: the open side of < or > always points to the larger number.

How to Compare Step by Step

1. Stack the two numbers so each digit lines up by place value.
2. Start at the greatest place — millions, then hundred-thousands, and so on.
3. Move right until you find the first place where the digits differ.
4. The number with the greater digit at that place is the greater number.
5. Write the comparison using <, >, or =.

Ordering a List of Numbers

• Least to greatest: arrange numbers from smallest on the left to largest on the right.
• Greatest to least: arrange numbers from largest on the left to smallest on the right.
• Compare two numbers at a time using place value, then build the full ordered list.
• If two numbers have a different number of digits, the one with more digits is greater.

Using a Number Line

• Numbers on a number line increase from left to right.
• Any number to the left is less than a number to its right.
• Use the labeled tick marks to estimate where a number belongs between them.