Compare numbers
key notes :
| = | When two values are equal, we use the “equals” sign | example: 2+2 = 4 |
|---|---|---|
| < | When one value is smaller than another, we can use a “less than” sign. | example: 3 < 5 |
| > | When one value is bigger than another, we can use a “greater than” sign | example: 9 > 6 |
Rules for Comparison of Numbers
Rule I: We know that a number with more digits is always greater than the number with less number of digits.
We know that a number with more digits is always greater than the number with less number of digits.
(i) The number of 2 digits is greater than the number of one digit.
(ii) The number of 3 digits is greater than the number having 2 or 1 digit.
(iii) The number of 4 digits is greater than 3 or 2 or 1 digit number.
(iv) 5-digit number > 4-digit number > 3-digit number ………… etc.
(v) 6-digit number > 5-digit number > 4-digit number ………… etc.
As:
10 > 9;
100 > 99 > 9;
239 > 98;
1250 > 998;
23051 > 8735;
351246 > 92835 > 5298 > 376 > 93.
Rule II: When the two numbers have the same number of digits, we start comparing the digits from the left-most place until we come across unequal digits.
(a) If two numbers have the same number of digits, we compare them on the basis of their extreme left digits. The number with the greater extreme left digit is greater.
As:
(i) 514 > 298, because 5 > 2
(ii) 6138 > 5978, because 6 > 5
(iii) 32516 > 19768, because 3 > 1
(iv) 451926 > 351658, because 4 > 3
(b) If the extreme left digits of two numbers are the same, we compare them on the basis of the next digits towards their right and so on.
As:
(i) 64283 > 63198, because 6 = 6, but 4 > 3
(ii) 24567 > 22381, because 2 = 2, but 4 > 2
(iii) 83,643 > 83,449, because 83 = 83, but 6 > 4
(iv) 367825 > 367543, because 367 = 367, but 8 > 5
👉In other words;
When the two numbers have the same number of digits, we start comparing the digits from the left-most place until we come across unequal digits.
For example:
- Compare 29,384 and 20,364
- Both numbers are 5-digit numbers.
- Let us compare the digits in left most place, we find that both numbers have same digit. Next, we compare the digits in the second most left place, we find that 9> 0.
- 👉So, 29,384 > 20,364
Learn with an example
Which words make this statement true?
4,672 ____ 90,243.
- is greater than
- is less than
- is equal to
First, count the number of digits in each number. There are 4 digits in 4,672 and 5 digits in 90,243. The number with fewer digits is always less.
4,672 is less than 90,243.
Which words make this statement true?
52,092 ____ 52,292.
- is greater than
- is less than
- is equal to
First, count the number of digits in each number. There are 5 digits in each number. They have the same number of digits.
Compare the ten thousands digits. The ten thousands digit in 52,092 is 5. The ten thousands digit in 52,292 is 5. They have the same ten thousands digit.
Now compare the thousands digits. The thousands digit in 52,092 is 2. The thousands digit in 52,292 is 2. They have the same thousands digit.
Now compare the hundreds digits. The hundreds digit in 52,092 is 0. The hundreds digit in 52,292 is 2. 0 is less than 2.
52,092 is less than 52,292.
Which words make this statement true?
98,334 ____ 98,334.
- is greater than
- is less than
- is equal to
The number 98,334 is on both sides. Both sides are equal.
98,334 is equal to 98,334.
Let’s practice!
