Comparing numbers means deciding which is bigger, which is smaller, or whether two amounts are equal. It turns counting into reasoning — and introduces the math symbols <, > and =.
What your child will learn
- Say which of two numbers is bigger or smaller
- Put a small set of numbers in order from smallest to biggest
- Use the words more than, less than and equal to
- Begin to use the <, > and = signs
Using the greater than and less than signs
The signs < and > can look confusing at first. A popular trick is to imagine a hungry crocodile whose open mouth always faces the bigger number: 7 > 3 and 3 < 7.
Another helpful way to check is to read the sign from left to right: "7 is greater than 3" or "3 is less than 7".
Watch out for swapped digits
Numbers like 12 and 21 use the same digits in a different order. Balance Bridge includes these on purpose, because noticing that the first digit tells you how many tens is an important early place-value idea.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Which number is smaller: 10 or 1?
- 10
- 1
Show answer
Answer: 1. 10 is bigger than 1. Compare the tens first.
2. True or false? 9 is bigger than 1.
Show answer
Answer: True. 9 is bigger than 1.
3. Which number is smaller: 4 or 8?
- 4
- 8
Show answer
Answer: 4. 8 is bigger than 4.
Tips for grown-ups
- Line up two groups of toys side by side and ask which group has more.
- Play "higher or lower" with a pack of number cards.
- Use a ruler or number track to show that bigger numbers sit further along.