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Comparing & Ordering Numbers

Maths · Y3 Number
Year 3
Lesson Guide
Explanation
We compare numbers with three symbols. Think of < and > as a hungry crocodile: it always opens its mouth to eat the BIGGER number. 27 < 64 says '27 is less than 64' — the mouth is open towards 64. And = means both sides are exactly the same.
Your Turn
Point the crocodile the right way: 83 ▢ 38, and 405 ▢ 450. Check: 83 > 38, and 405 < 450.
Watch Out
Read the symbol from left to right, like a sentence: 27 < 64 reads '27 is less than 64', not the other way round.
Explanation
Before comparing digits, count the digits! A number with more digits is always bigger. 999 looks impressive with its three 9s, but 1000 has four digits — it wins. Even the smallest 4-digit number beats the biggest 3-digit number.
Your Turn
Which is bigger: 989 or 1010? And 5000 or 999? Check: 1010 and 5000 — the extra digit wins both times.
Watch Out
Big digits can trick your eyes. 999 FEELS bigger than 1000 — count the digits first and you will never fall for it.
Explanation
When two numbers have the same number of digits, compare them column by column from the LEFT. 3472 vs 3481: thousands the same (3), hundreds the same (4), tens different — 8 beats 7. Stop right there: 3481 is bigger. The digits after the first difference don't matter at all.
Your Turn
Compare 6254 and 6245. Check: same, same, then 5 beats 4 in the tens — 6254 > 6245.
Watch Out
Always start from the LEFT (the biggest column), never the right. The ones digit only matters if everything before it ties.
Explanation
To order a group of numbers from smallest to largest (ascending): first sort by number of digits — 981 has only three, so it goes first. Then compare the rest left to right. 2413 and 2431 tie until the tens: 1 < 3, so 2 413 comes before 2 431. Then 3 070 is last. Going the other way, largest first, is called descending.
Your Turn
Order these smallest first: 1 505, 890, 1 550, 1 055. Check: 890, 1 055, 1 505, 1 550.
Watch Out
Sneaky pairs like 2 413 / 2 431 use the same digits! Compare carefully column by column — never just glance.
Explanation
The number line is a picture of your ordering. Smaller numbers sit to the left, bigger numbers to the right. Place 981, 2413, 2431 and 3070 and look: the dots march from left to right in exactly your ascending order. If a dot looks out of place, your ordering has a mistake — the line is a great way to check yourself.
Your Turn
Sketch a quick line from 0 to 5000 and place 4200, 800 and 2500. Which is in the middle? Check: 2500.
Watch Out
Space matters on a number line: 981 goes just before the 1000 mark, not halfway along. Use the thousands marks as anchors.
Explanation
'Between' questions need TWO checks. Is 3250 between 3240 and 3260? Check one: 3250 > 3240 ✓. Check two: 3250 < 3 260 ✓. Both pass, so yes. 3 265 passes the first check but fails the second — so it's not between. You can write it in one line with two crocodiles: 3 240 < 3 250 < 3 260.
Your Turn
Name any number between 4 990 and 5 010. Check: 4 991 to 5 009 all work — for example 5 000. Now try the Exercise tab, then the Quiz!
Watch Out
Both crocodiles must point the right way. If one check fails, the number is not between — no matter how close it looks.
Step 1: Introduction
Step 1 of 6
The crocodile eats the bigger number 27 < 64 "27 is less than 64" — the open mouth points at 64 < less than > greater than = equal to
999 vs 1000 999 3 digits < 1000 4 digits First check: count the digits! A 4-digit number is ALWAYS bigger than a 3-digit number, even when the 3-digit one is full of 9s.
3472 vs 3481 3 4 7 2 3 4 8 1 same… same… different! 8 > 7 Walk along from the LEFT until the digits differ. First difference decides: 8 beats 7, so 3481 > 3472. The digits after it don't matter at all.
Order: 2431, 981, 2413, 3070 Step 1 — count digits: 981 has only 3 digits → it is the smallest. Step 2 — compare the rest from the left. 981 < 2413 < 2431 < 3070 2413 vs 2431: same thousands, same hundreds — tens decide: 1 < 3. This is called ascending order — climbing up like stairs.
Numbers line up by size 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 981 2413 2431 3070 Further right = bigger. The number line never lies — if your order is right, the dots march left to right.
Which numbers live between 3240 and 3260? 3240 3260 3250 ✓ 3265 ✗ 'Between' means bigger than one AND smaller than the other: 3240 < ▢ < 3260. Both checks must pass. Now do the quiz!
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