Comparing Numbers

Use more than and fewer than to compare two groups.

  • Define and explain Comparing Numbers in your own words
  • Use key terms such as Digit accurately
  • Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
  • Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

This lesson focuses on Comparing Numbers: use more than and fewer than to compare two groups.

Definition: Comparing Numbers

Use more than and fewer than to compare two groups.

Key ideas

Number order

Numbers grow by one each step, so a number further along in the count is always larger: 9 comes after 7 and is bigger.

One-to-one counting

Touch or point to each object once and say one number name each time. That way no object is missed and none is counted twice.

Key term — Digit: Any of the symbols 0 to 9 used to write numbers. The number 42 uses two digits.

Worked example: Comparing Numbers

Write the numbers 8, 3, 11, 5 from smallest to largest.

3, 5, 8, 11.

Answer: 3, 5, 8, 11.

Common mistakes
  • Thinking 9 is bigger than 11 Compare by seeing which comes later in the count, not by how big the digit looks.
  • Saying number names out of order Practise the sequence aloud until it is automatic, like the words of a song.

Practice

What number comes just before 40?
Count backwards from 40.
Count from 14 to 20.
Say each number one after another.

14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

Which is more: 25 or 29?
Which comes later in the count?

29, because 29 comes after 25 when counting.

A packet has 31 biscuits. You eat 1. How many are left?
Count back one step.

30 — counting back one from 31 gives 30.

Quick check

Comparing Numbers — quick check

Which of these best defines "Digit"?

Any of the symbols 0 to 9 used to write numbers. The number 42 uses two digits.

Count back in tens from 70 to 30.

70, 60, 50, 40, 30.
Key takeaways
  • Comparing Numbers: use more than and fewer than to compare two groups.
  • Number order: Numbers grow by one each step, so a number further along in the count is always larger: 9 comes after 7 and is bigger.
  • Number: A word or symbol that tells you how many there are, such as 7.
  • Watch out for: thinking 9 is bigger than 11