Year 2: Comparing and recording with and =
Part of the Year 2 length, mass, capacity and temperature chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Comparing and recording with <, > and =
We use signs to compare two amounts.
The sign < means less than. The sign > means more than.
The sign = means equal to. Both amounts are the same.
First change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare them.
Key ideas
- < means less than. The small end points at the smaller amount.
- > means more than. The open end faces the bigger amount.
- = means equal to.
- Change to the same unit before you compare.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in cm.both in cm
- Compare the numbers. 7 cm is less than 9 cm.7 < 9
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.<
Check. Say it in words: 7 cm is less than 9 cm. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in g.2 kg = 2000 g
- Compare the numbers. 2000 g is more than 1500 g.2000 > 1500
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.>
Check. Say it in words: 2000 g is more than 1500 g. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in ml.1 l = 1000 ml
- Compare the numbers. 1000 ml is the same as 1000 ml.1000 = 1000
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.=
Check. Say it in words: 1000 ml is the same as 1000 ml. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Watch out
Watch out: 2 kg is not less than 1500 g. Change to grams first: 2 kg = 2000 g.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Use two cups of rice or two sticks. Ask: “Which is more? Which is less? Are they the same?”
Exercise 5F Comparing and recording with <, > and =
Non-calculatorMethod. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in cm.both in cm
- Compare the numbers. 6 cm is less than 8 cm.6 < 8
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.<
Check. Say it in words: 6 cm is less than 8 cm. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in cm.both in cm
- Compare the numbers. 12 cm is more than 9 cm.12 > 9
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.>
Check. Say it in words: 12 cm is more than 9 cm. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in cm.1 m = 100 cm
- Compare the numbers. 100 cm is the same as 100 cm.100 = 100
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.=
Check. Say it in words: 100 cm is the same as 100 cm. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in g.1 kg = 1000 g
- Compare the numbers. 500 g is less than 1000 g.500 < 1000
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.<
Check. Say it in words: 500 g is less than 1000 g. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in g.3 kg = 3000 g; 2 kg = 2000 g
- Compare the numbers. 3000 g is more than 2000 g.3000 > 2000
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.>
Check. Say it in words: 3000 g is more than 2000 g. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in ml.1 l = 1000 ml
- Compare the numbers. 700 ml is less than 1000 ml.700 < 1000
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.<
Check. Say it in words: 700 ml is less than 1000 ml. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in cm.2 m = 200 cm
- Compare the numbers. 200 cm is more than 150 cm.200 > 150
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.>
Check. Say it in words: 200 cm is more than 150 cm. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in cm.5 m = 500 cm
- Compare the numbers. 500 cm is more than 450 cm.500 > 450
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.>
Check. Say it in words: 500 cm is more than 450 cm. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change to the same unit, then pick the biggest amount.
- Look at A. A is 1 kg.A: 1000 g
- Look at B. B is 800 g.B: 800 g
- Pick the one with the biggest amount. Once the units match, the numbers can be compared.A wins
- Write the answer. A
Check. Compare the other amounts too. ✓
Watch out. Read the units first. 2 m is longer than 150 cm, because 2 m = 200 cm.
Method. Change both amounts to millilitres. Then compare them.
- Change 1 litre to millilitres. 1 litre = 1000 ml.1 l = 1000 ml
- Compare the two numbers. Is 1000 ml more than 900 ml? Yes.1000 > 900
- Decide. So Sam is right.Yes
Check. 1000 ml is more than 900 ml, so 1 litre is more. ✓
Watch out. Change to millilitres before you compare.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in cm.2 m = 200 cm
- Compare the numbers. 200 cm is more than 150 cm.200 > 150
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.>
Check. Say it in words: 200 cm is more than 150 cm. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in g.2 kg = 2000 g
- Compare the numbers. 2000 g is the same as 2000 g.2000 = 2000
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.=
Check. Say it in words: 2000 g is the same as 2000 g. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.
Method. Change both amounts to the same unit. Then compare the numbers.
- Write both amounts in the same unit. We compare them in ml.1 l = 1000 ml
- Compare the numbers. 300 ml is less than 1000 ml.300 < 1000
- Write the sign. The sign shows which amount is bigger, or that they are equal.<
Check. Say it in words: 300 ml is less than 1000 ml. ✓
Watch out. Only compare amounts in the same unit. 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 l = 1000 ml.