Step-by-step Maths Level 1: Greater, less and the signs
Part of the Step-by-step Maths Level 1 before, after and between chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Greater, less and the signs
We can compare two numbers. The greater number is bigger. The less number is smaller.
The sign > means greater than. The sign < means less than. The sign = means equal.
The open end of the sign always faces the bigger number. The point faces the smaller one.
Key ideas
- Greater means bigger. Less means smaller.
- > means greater than.
- < means less than.
- = means the same as.
Method. Compare the two numbers.
- Say the two numbers. Eight and thirteen.8 and 13
- Compare them. 13 comes later, so it is bigger.8 is less than 13
- Choose the sign. The point faces the smaller number, 8.<
Check. The sign faces the smaller number. 8 < 13 is right.
Watch out. The point of the sign always faces the smaller number.
Method. Compare the two numbers.
- Say the two numbers. Fifteen and nine.15 and 9
- Compare them. 15 comes later, so it is bigger.15 is greater than 9
- Choose the sign. The open end faces the bigger number.>
Check. The open end faces 15. 15 > 9 is right.
Watch out. The open end of the sign faces the bigger number.
Method. Look at both numbers.
- Say the two numbers. Six and six.6 and 6
- Check whether they are the same. They are the same amount.6 is equal to 6
- Choose the sign. Equal means the same.=
Check. Both numbers are 6, so the sign is =.
Watch out. Use = only when the two numbers are the same.
Watch out
Watch out. The sign does not care about the size of the symbol. Look at which number is bigger.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Use two groups of counters. Ask: “Which group has more?” Then show the sign that matches the answer.
Exercise 3D Greater, less and the signs
Non-calculatorMethod. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 12 and 11.12 and 11
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.12 is greater than 11
- Write the answer. 12
Check. Count from 11 to 12. 12 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 18 and 11.18 and 11
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.11 is less than 18
- Write the answer. 11
Check. Count from 11 to 18. 18 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 11 and 17.11 and 17
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.11 is less than 17, so the sign is <
- Write the answer. <
Check. Count from 11 to 17. 17 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 2 and 0.2 and 0
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.2 is further along the count
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Count from 0 to 2. 2 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 20 and 5.20 and 5
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.20 is greater than 5
- Write the answer. 20
Check. Count from 5 to 20. 20 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 16 and 5.16 and 5
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.5 is less than 16
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Count from 5 to 16. 16 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers.
- Say the two numbers. They are the same number.19 and 19
- Check whether they are the same. Equal means the same amount.19 is equal to 19
- Choose the sign. Equal is written with two short lines.=
Check. Both numbers are 19, so the sign is =. ✓
Watch out. Use = only when the two numbers are the same.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 18 and 0.18 and 0
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.18 is further along the count
- Write the answer. 18
Check. Count from 0 to 18. 18 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 10 and 1.10 and 1
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.10 is greater than 1
- Write the answer. 10
Check. Count from 1 to 10. 10 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 19 and 6.19 and 6
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.6 is less than 19
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Count from 6 to 19. 19 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 15 and 17.15 and 17
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.15 is less than 17, so the sign is <
- Write the answer. <
Check. Count from 15 to 17. 17 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Compare the two numbers. Which one comes later when we count?
- Say both numbers. The numbers are 12 and 0.12 and 0
- Compare them. The number further along the count is bigger.12 is further along the count
- Write the answer. 12
Check. Count from 0 to 12. 12 comes later, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. Bigger numbers come later in the count, even when the digits look different.
Method. Count the cubes in each row. Then say which group has more or fewer.
- Count group A. Touch each cube once.A has 6
- Count group B. Touch each cube once.B has 7
- Compare the two numbers. 7 is bigger than 6, so one group has more.Group B
Check. The difference is 7 take away 6, which is 1. ✓
Watch out. Read the letter first. A is the top row, B is the bottom row.
Method. Count the cubes in each row. Then say which group has more or fewer.
- Count group A. Touch each cube once.A has 5
- Count group B. Touch each cube once.B has 8
- Compare the two numbers. 8 is bigger than 5, so one group has fewer.Group A
Check. The difference is 8 take away 5, which is 3. ✓
Watch out. Read the letter first. A is the top row, B is the bottom row.
Method. Count the cubes in each row. Then say which group has more or fewer.
- Count group A. Touch each cube once.A has 4
- Count group B. Touch each cube once.B has 5
- Compare the two numbers. 5 is bigger than 4, so one group has more.Group B
Check. The difference is 5 take away 4, which is 1. ✓
Watch out. Read the letter first. A is the top row, B is the bottom row.
Method. Count the cubes in each row. Then say which group has more or fewer.
- Count group A. Touch each cube once.A has 1
- Count group B. Touch each cube once.B has 2
- Compare the two numbers. 2 is bigger than 1, so one group has fewer.Group A
Check. The difference is 2 take away 1, which is 1. ✓
Watch out. Read the letter first. A is the top row, B is the bottom row.