Compare and Order Whole Numbers Teaching Resources
Teach how to compare and order whole numbers this school year with printable worksheets, digital activities and more teacher-created resources.
Designed to help students understand the relative size of numbers and learn to arrange them in ascending or descending order, this collection of resources has everything you'll need to build your math lesson plans!
Is this your first year teaching students how to compare whole numbers and order them? Or perhaps you are just looking for some quick tips to help you plan? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a look at the different math comparison symbols!
What Is a Comparison Symbol in Math? A Kid-Friendly Explanation
Key to teaching kids how to compare numbers is an explanation of the different comparison symbols that they can use to represent the relationships between different whole numbers.
There are three main comparison symbols or signs that we use in math:
1. Greater Than Sign
The symbol > is known as the greater than sign in maths.
When the greater than sign is used to compare numbers, it tells us the number on the left is larger or greater than the number on the right.
2. Less Than Sign
The symbol < is known as the less than sign in math.
When we are comparing whole numbers, we can use the less than sign to show that the number on the left is smaller or less than the number on the right.
3. Equal Sign
The final sign or symbol used when comparing whole numbers is known as the equal sign, and it looks like this: =.
We use an equal sign to express that two numbers are exactly the same or equal to one another.
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Comparing and Ordering Integers – Worksheet
Improve understanding of the number system by comparing and ordering integers.
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Plotting and Comparing Integers – Worksheet
Practice plotting integers on a number line and completing comparison statements with this worksheet.
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Halloween Count and Compare Worksheet
Have a spooktacular time practicing number comparisons with a count and compare Halloween math worksheet.
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Halloween Comparing Numbers Worksheet - Ten Frames
Model and compare numbers to twenty using ten frames with a fun and engaging Halloween math worksheet.
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Comparing Two-Digit Numbers — Clash! Board Game for 1st Grade
Practice comparing two-digit numbers with the help of this board game.
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Math Mazes (Place Value)
Determine the correct paths through each maze using knowledge of place value.
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Spin and Sort – More, Less, Same
Practice comparing numbers with this sorting activity.
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Number Hunt Description Cards
A set of 32 task cards that have students use their knowledge of place value to find specific numbers.
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Comparing Three-Digit Numbers Task Cards
Practice comparing 3-digit numbers with the symbols , and = with this set of 20 task cards.
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Let's Compare! Task Cards
Practice comparing 2-digit numbers with this set of 20 task cards.
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Number Talks - Building Numbers Task Cards
Build number sense skills with this set of 24 task cards.
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Number Talks - Near, Far, and in Between Task Cards
Build number sense skills with this set of 24 task cards.
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Comparing Numbers Task Cards
Practice comparing whole numbers with this set of 24 task cards.
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My 2-Digit Place Value Diary
A diary for students to make when showing their understanding of 2-digit place value.
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Ascending and Descending Number Posters
A poster explaining what descending order means.
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Exploring 4-Digit Place Value - Assessment
An assessment task in which students will demonstrate an understanding of place value in the thousands place.
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Comparing and Ordering Numbers
A 60-minute lesson in which students will compare and order 4-digit numbers.
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Comparing and Ordering Beyond 10,000
A 60-minute lesson in which students will compare and order 5-digit numbers.