Use > and < to compare whole numbers by looking at place values.
Where your child meets this in real life: Comparing prices, scores, distances, or quantities to make decisions
SEAGReady breaks compare two whole numbers into 2 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Compare whole numbers with the same digit count using > and < symbols
Compare whole numbers with different digit counts using > and < symbols
Three free sample questions from our compare two whole numbers course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Sean scored 4,567 points in a maths game. His sister Aoife scored 4,589 points. Who scored more? Compare using > or <.
Answer: A. 4,567 < 4,589
Both numbers have 4 digits, so compare from left to right: - Thousands: 4 = 4 (same, keep going) - Hundreds: 5 = 5 (same, keep going) - Tens: 6 vs 8. Since 6 < 8, we have our answer. Aoife scored more because 4,567 < 4,589.
Stuck? Start here: Both numbers have 4 digits, so compare digit by digit from the left.
Sophie has 999 marbles. James has 1,001 marbles. Who has more marbles? Use > or < to compare.
Answer: A. 999 < 1,001
Count the digits: - 999 has 3 digits - 1,001 has 4 digits A 4-digit number is always larger than a 3-digit number. So 999 < 1,001. James has more marbles.
Stuck? Start here: First, count how many digits each number has.
A shop in Belfast sold 2,345 ice creams in June. In July they sold 2,354 ice creams. Which month had more sales?
Answer: A. July (2,354 > 2,345)
Compare from left to right: - Thousands: 2 = 2 (same) - Hundreds: 3 = 3 (same) - Tens: 4 = 4 (same) - Ones: 5 vs 4. Since 5 > 4, we know 2,354 > 2,345. July had more sales.
Stuck? Start here: Compare the two numbers from left to right, starting with thousands.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Ciara scored 3,456 points in a maths game. Liam scored 3,465 points.
Who scored more? Use > or < to compare their scores.
3,456 ? 3,465
Step 1 of 4
Ciara scored 3,456 points in a maths game. Liam scored 3,465 points.
Who scored more? Use > or < to compare their scores.
Liam scored more because 3,456 < 3,465.
The key insight: Start at the left - the first different digit tells you everything!
Watch out: 3,456 > 3,465 because 56 > 65. Looking at the last two digits together instead of comparing place by place from the left.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in compare two whole numbers, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with compare two whole numbers? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.