Comparing Numbers and Rounding Study Guide
When you compare numbers, you look at the largest place value in both numbers. If the digits in the
largest place value are equal, then you move to the place value to the right.
We use symbols to compare numbers:
greater than > (opens to the left)
less than < (opens to the right)
equal to =
Compare the following numbers: 92,834 ______92,934
Hundred
Millions
Millions
Ten
Millions
One
Millions,
Thousands
Hundred
Ten
One
Hundreds
Thousands Thousands Thousands,
9
2,
8
9
Equal
Values
2,
Equal
Values
9
Ones
Tens
Ones
3
4
3
4
Different Values
800 is less than 900
Using the place value chart, we can quickly see the answer: 92,834 < 92,934.
Compare the following numbers: 165,670___165,607
Hundred
Millions
Millions
Ten
Millions
One
Millions,
Answer: 165,670 > 165,607
Thousands
Hundred
Ten
One
Hundreds
Thousands Thousands Thousands,
1
6
5,
6
1
6
5,
6
Equal
Values
Equal
Values
Equal
Values
Equal
Values
Ones
Tens
Ones
7
0
0
7
Different Values
70 is greater than 0
There are also different ways to represent numbers in order to compare them. Let’s compare
5 hundreds 14 tens and 3 ones ______ 4 hundreds 23 tens and 13 ones.
Find the given values using a place value chart.
Hundreds
Hundreds
Tens
5
Ones
14
Tens
5
+1
6
Ones
4
4
Ones
23
13
3
You can’t have 2 digits in one place, so
move the 1 from the tens place to the
hundreds place.
Hundreds
Tens
You can’t have 2 digits in one place, so move
the 1 in the ones place to the tens place and
move the 2 in the tens place to the hundreds
place.
Hundreds
Tens
4
+2
6
3
Ones
3
+1
4
3
Add the 1 to the 5 hundreds that
you already have.
Add the 2 to the 4 hundreds that
you already have. Add the 1 to the 3
tens that you already have.
The value of 5 hundreds 14 tens and
The value of 4 hundreds 23 tens and 13 ones
3 ones is 643.
is 643.
So, to answer the question: 5 hundreds 14 tens and 3 ones = 4 hundreds 23 tens and 13 ones.
Let’s go over another example: 2 hundreds 0 tens 17 ones ________ 1 hundred 17 ten 7 ones.
Hundreds
Tens
2
Hundreds
2
Ones
0
Tens
0
+1
1
17
Ones
7
The value of 2 hundreds 0 tens and 17 ones is 217.
Hundreds
Tens
1
Ones
17
Hundreds
1
+1
2
7
Tens
Ones
7
7
The value of 1 hundred 17 tens and 7 ones is 277.
2 hundreds 0 tens 17 ones < 1 hundred 17 tens 7 ones