Unit 1: Number Sense
Topic C: Ordering Numerals
We arrange numerals in order from smallest to largest. Sorting numbered papers such as order forms, arranging items by the date and comparing prices are some of the ways you use this skill.
Look at two numerals and tell which one is larger. How do you do this?
Exercise 1
Draw a line under the larger numeral in each pair.
- 43, 48
- 27, 21
- 64, 63
- 24, 35
- 92, 89
- 72, 81
Answers to Exercise 1
- 27
- 64
- 35
- 92
- 81
To compare numerals, look at the place with the largest value.
Example A: Compare 63 and 59
Look at the tens place.
- 63 has a 6 in the tens place
- 59 has a 5 in the tens place.
- 63 is larger than 59.
Example B: Compare 496 and 476
Look at the hundreds place.
- Both have 4’s.
Look at the tens place.
- 496 has a 9 in the tens place
- 476 has a 7 in the tens place.
- 496 is larger than 476.
Note: Numerals with one digit are always less than numerals with two digits. Numerals with two digits are always less than numerals with three digits, and so on.
- 9 is less than 15
- 87 is less than 107
- 999 is less than 1 001
Exercise 2
Draw a line under the larger numeral in each pair. Check your work using the answer key at the end of the exercise.
- 36, 46
- 580, 59
- 87, 67
- 716, 116
- 429, 449
- 289, 283
- 471, 422
- 316, 322
- 876, 318
Answers to Exercise 2
- 580
- 87
- 716
- 449
- 289
- 471
- 322
- 876
Exercise 3
Draw a line under the larger numeral in each pair. Check your work using the answer key at the end of the exercise.
- 148, 151
- 129, 132
- 34, 37
- 325, 236
- 118, 13
- 489 423
- 471, 422
- 316, 322
- 876, 319
Answers to Exercise 3
- 132
- 37
- 325
- 118
- 489
- 471
- 322
- 876
Now use the same ideas to arrange more than two numerals in order. For example, to arrange 6, 616, 1, 66, 666, 61, and 16 in order from smallest to largest, use the following method.
First, sort the numerals with the same number of digits into groups:
- 6, 1
- 66, 61, 16, and
- 616, 666
The group of one digit numerals contains 6 and 1. As 1 is smaller than 6, the list starts with 1, then 6.
The group of two-digit numerals contains 66, 61, and 16. Use your skills in ordering numerals to see that 16 is smallest, then 61, and 66 is the largest of this group. The list now reads, 1, 6, 16, 61, 66.
Finally, look at the three-digit numerals, 616 and 666. As 616 is smaller than 666, it will come first. The list now reads: 1, 6, 16, 61, 66, 616, 666.
Exercise 4
Arrange these numbers in order from smallest to largest. Check your work using the answer key at the end of the exercise.
- 323, 32, 332, 33, 3, 322, 2
- 44, 7, 474, 47, 744, 74, 77
- 123, 135, 152, 125
- 472, 427, 452, 475
Answers to Exercise 4
- 2, 3, 32, 33, 322, 323, 332
- 7, 44, 47, 74, 77, 474, 744
- 123, 125, 135, 152
- 427, 452, 472, 475
Greater Than, Less Than, Equals
The sign < means “is less than” (smaller than).
The sign > means “is greater than” (bigger than).
The greater than and less than signs always point to the smaller number. That is, t