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
Each SEAG paper has 28 maths questions. Questions 29 to 50 are multiple choice with five possible answers, and questions 51 to 56 need a short written answer. With 56 questions in 60 minutes across English and maths, that is about a minute per question.
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
Try three free questions from our compare two whole numbers course. They start easy and get harder, so you can see where your child's confidence runs out. If they manage the last one without a hint, this topic is probably secure. If not, the steps above show where to start.
George scored 4,567 points in a maths game. His sister Isla scored 4,589 points. Who scored more? Compare using > or <.
The outdoor centre had 9,999 visitors in one week. The museum had 10,001 visitors. Which attraction had more visitors?
Three friends compared their high scores. Conor scored 45,678 points. Freya scored 45,687 points. Lewis scored 45,768 points. Put their scores in order from lowest to highest using < symbols.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Team A scored 3,456 points. Team B scored 3,465 points.
Which score is greater? Use > or < to compare them.
3,456 ? 3,465
Thousands: 3 = 3, so keep going
Step 1 of 4
Team A scored 3,456 points. Team B scored 3,465 points.
Which score is greater? Use > or < to compare them.
Team B scored more because 3,456 < 3,465.
The key insight: The first different digit from the left decides the comparison.
Common mix-up: Comparing only the final digits. Always start with the greatest place value and move right.
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.
Sitting the SEAG test this November? Read our last-month revision plan, Paper 1 vs Paper 2 and test day guide.
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.
Free to start · no card needed