Compare two numbers and say which is greater than or less than the other | Maths

Starter quiz

Which sentence matches the picture?

There are 5 dots and 1 more.

There are 5 dots and 2 more. ✓

There are 5 dots and 3 more.

There are 5 dots and 5 more.
Which sentence matches the beads?

8 beads is five and 1 more.

8 beads is five and 2 more.

8 beads is five and 3 more. ✓

8 beads is five and 4 more.
Choose the correct number to complete the sentence. Six beetles is five and ___ more.

4

2

1 ✓

3
Which tens frame matches the ladybirds?
Which pictures show the number that is five and 2 more?
Which number do these pictures show?

'9' ✓

Exit quiz

Which string has more beads?

String A has more beads than string B

String B has more beads than string A ✓
Which picture shows the smaller number?

A ✓

B
Which picture shows the greater number?

A

B ✓
Which is the correct way to compare the numbers 6 and 8?

8 is greater than 6 ✓

6 is greater than 8

8 > 6 ✓

6 > 8
Which is the correct way to compare the numbers 6 and 9?

6 is less than 9 ✓

9 is less than 6

9 < 6

6 < 9 ✓
Which is the correct way to compare the numbers 7 and 9?

7 is less than 9 ✓

9 is greater than 7 ✓

7 < 9 ✓

9 > 7 ✓

Worksheet

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Numbers can be represented as numerals or using representations.
Numbers can be compared to see which one is larger or smaller.
The equality and inequality symbols < > and = can be used to show which number is larger or smaller.
The 5 and a bit structure can be used to compare by comparing the additional 'bit'.

Common misconception

Children may confuse the inequality symbols and use them the incorrect way around.

Take time to practise using the symbols with hand signals or using manipulatives. Emphasise the shape of the symbols reflecting their use i.e. more cubes 'fit' into the wider end of the symbol.

Keywords

Compare - You compare to find out what is the same and what is different and compare numbers to find out if one is greater than or less than another.
More than - More than means having a larger amount of objects in a set than another set.
Greater than - Greater than means a number has a larger value than another number.
Fewer than - Fewer than means having a smaller amount in a set than another set.
Less than - Less than means a number has a smaller value than another number.