1st Grade Comparing Two-Digit Numbers Lesson (Free PDF)
This comparing numbers lesson for 1st Grade covers comparing two-digit numbers (Common Core 1.NBT.B.3), with a free PDF to print.
To compare two-digit numbers, look at the tens first. The number with more tens is greater. If the tens are the same, look at the ones. Then write greater than, less than, or equal to with a sign. For example, 42 is greater than 27 because 4 tens is more than 2 tens.
Grade 1 · Common Core State Standards: 1.NBT.B.3
Key facts in this comparing numbers lesson
- Compare the tens digits first.
- If the tens match, compare the ones digits.
- The signs are greater than, less than, and equal to.
- The open mouth of the sign points to the greater number.
- On a number line, the number farther right is greater.
How do you compare two numbers?
To compare means to tell which number is greater, which is less, or whether they are the same. With two-digit numbers, look at the tens first.
Here \(42 > 27\) because 42 has 4 tens and 27 has only 2 tens.
What if the tens are the same?
When both numbers have the same number of tens, look at the ones. The number with more ones is greater.
So \(53 < 58\). If both the tens and the ones match, the numbers are equal, like \(64 = 64\).
How can a number line help?
Numbers get bigger as you move to the right on a number line. The number farther to the right is greater.
This shows \(72 < 77\) and \(77 > 72\).
How do I pick the right sign?
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Compare the tens digits. |
| 2 | If they are different, the bigger tens digit wins. |
| 3 | If they are the same, compare the ones digits. |
| 4 | Write \(>\), \(< \), or \(=\). |
Example. Compare 39 and 41. The tens digits are 3 and 4. Since 3 is less than 4, \(39 < 41\). The 9 ones in 39 do not matter, because 4 tens beat 3 tens.
Remember: tens first, ones second. Say it out loud each time you compare. A number with more tens is always greater than a number with fewer tens, even when its ones digit is small. For example, 40 is greater than 39, because 4 tens is more than 3 tens.
Comparing numbers lesson: questions and answers
How do you compare two-digit numbers?
Start with the tens digits. The number with more tens is greater. If the tens are the same, compare the ones digits.
Is 29 greater than 31?
No. 29 has 2 tens and 31 has 3 tens, so 29 is less than 31. The 9 ones in 29 do not change that.
What do the signs greater than, less than, and equal to look like?
Greater than is written >, less than is written with a sign that opens to the right, and equal to is written =. The open side always faces the bigger number.
What if two numbers have the same tens and the same ones?
Then the numbers are equal. For example, 58 and 58 have 5 tens and 8 ones each, so we write 58 = 58.
How does a number line show which number is greater?
Numbers get bigger going right. If 63 is to the right of 58, then 63 is greater than 58.
How to use this comparing numbers lesson
Read the definitions first, then follow the worked method line by line and redo the example on paper without looking. When every step makes sense, move on to the worksheet, then check yourself with the quiz.
Download the comparing numbers lesson as a PDF with the button below and keep it with your notes.
All Grade 1 chapters: Grade 1 math.
