Comparing 3-Digit Numbers
Comparing 3-digit numbers means finding out which number is greater, which is smaller, or if they are equal. We use the symbols > (greater than), < (less than), and = (equal to).
To compare two 3-digit numbers, we start by checking the hundreds digit first, then move to the tens digit, and finally the ones digit.
What is Comparing 3-Digit Numbers - Class 3 Maths (Numbers up to 1000)?
Comparing numbers is the process of determining which number is greater or smaller.
Symbols used:
- > means "greater than" (e.g., 500 > 300)
- < means "less than" (e.g., 200 < 450)
- = means "equal to" (e.g., 375 = 375)
Rule for comparing 3-digit numbers:
- Compare the hundreds digits first.
- If the hundreds digits are the same, compare the tens digits.
- If the tens digits are also the same, compare the ones digits.
Comparing 3-Digit Numbers Formula
Rules for comparing 3-digit numbers:
Step 1: Compare hundreds → Step 2: Compare tens → Step 3: Compare ones
Quick comparison rules:
- A 3-digit number is always greater than any 2-digit number.
- Among 3-digit numbers, the one with the larger hundreds digit is greater.
- If hundreds are equal, the one with the larger tens digit is greater.
- If hundreds and tens are equal, the one with the larger ones digit is greater.
- If all digits are the same, the numbers are equal.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Different Hundreds Digits
Question: Compare 742 and 385.
Think:
- Hundreds digit: 7 vs 3
- 7 > 3
- So 742 > 385
Answer: 742 > 385
Example 2: Same Hundreds, Different Tens
Question: Compare 563 and 548.
Think:
- Hundreds digit: 5 = 5 (same)
- Tens digit: 6 vs 4
- 6 > 4
- So 563 > 548
Answer: 563 > 548
Example 3: Same Hundreds and Tens, Different Ones
Question: Compare 471 and 479.
Think:
- Hundreds digit: 4 = 4 (same)
- Tens digit: 7 = 7 (same)
- Ones digit: 1 vs 9
- 1 < 9
- So 471 < 479
Answer: 471 < 479
Example 4: Comparing Equal Numbers
Question: Compare 806 and 806.
Think:
- Hundreds: 8 = 8
- Tens: 0 = 0
- Ones: 6 = 6
- All digits are the same
Answer: 806 = 806
Example 5: Word Problem — Collecting Stickers
Question: Aman has 456 stickers and Priya has 462 stickers. Who has more stickers?
Think:
- Hundreds: 4 = 4 (same)
- Tens: 5 vs 6 → 6 is more
- 462 > 456
Answer: Priya has more stickers.
Example 6: Comparing a 2-Digit and a 3-Digit Number
Question: Compare 99 and 100.
Think:
- 99 is a 2-digit number
- 100 is a 3-digit number
- A 3-digit number is always greater than a 2-digit number
Answer: 99 < 100
Example 7: Using the Number Line
Question: Which is greater: 310 or 290?
Think:
- On a number line, numbers to the right are greater
- 310 comes after 290 on the number line
- Also: hundreds digit 3 > 2
Answer: 310 > 290
Example 8: Word Problem — School Attendance
Question: On Monday, 387 students were present at school. On Tuesday, 392 students were present. On which day was attendance higher?
Think:
- Hundreds: 3 = 3 (same)
- Tens: 8 vs 9 → 9 is more
- 392 > 387
Answer: Tuesday had higher attendance.
Example 9: Comparing Numbers with Zero
Question: Compare 503 and 530.
Think:
- Hundreds: 5 = 5 (same)
- Tens: 0 vs 3 → 3 is more
- 530 > 503
Answer: 503 < 530
Example 10: Word Problem — Cricket Scores
Question: Team A scored 275 runs. Team B scored 279 runs. Which team scored more?
Think:
- Hundreds: 2 = 2
- Tens: 7 = 7
- Ones: 5 vs 9 → 9 > 5
- 279 > 275
Answer: Team B scored more runs.
Real-World Applications
Where do we compare numbers in daily life?
- Shopping: Ria sees two school bags — one for ₹475 and another for ₹520. She compares the prices to find which is cheaper (₹475 < ₹520).
- Sports: In cricket, India scored 287 and Australia scored 312. Comparing tells us Australia scored more (312 > 287).
- Marks: Aman scored 465 marks and Priya scored 489 marks. Comparing tells us Priya scored higher.
- Height and Weight: Aditi is 134 cm tall and Kavi is 128 cm tall. Comparing shows Aditi is taller.
- Distance: Delhi to Jaipur is 281 km and Delhi to Agra is 233 km. Jaipur is farther because 281 > 233.
Comparing numbers is one of the most common mathematical activities in real life. Every time you decide which is more or less, you are comparing.
Key Points to Remember
- Always compare the hundreds digit first, then tens, then ones.
- The number with the greater hundreds digit is greater.
- If hundreds are equal, compare the tens digit. If tens are also equal, compare ones.
- A 3-digit number is always greater than any 2-digit number.
- Use > for greater than, < for less than, = for equal to.
- On a number line, the number farther to the right is greater.
Practice Problems
- Compare 614 and 641. Use >, <, or =.
- Which is greater: 899 or 900?
- Compare 350 and 305.
- Ria has ₹478 and Meera has ₹487. Who has more money?
- Write the correct symbol: 555 ___ 555.
- Arrange in order from smallest to largest: 302, 320, 203.
- Which is the smallest: 710, 701, or 170?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do you compare two 3-digit numbers?
Start by comparing the hundreds digits. If they are the same, compare the tens digits. If those are also the same, compare the ones digits. The number with the greater digit at the first different place is larger.
Q2. What do the symbols >, <, and = mean?
> means greater than, < means less than, and = means equal to. For example, 500 > 300 means 500 is greater than 300.
Q3. Is a 3-digit number always greater than a 2-digit number?
Yes. The smallest 3-digit number is 100, and the largest 2-digit number is 99. Since 100 > 99, every 3-digit number is greater than every 2-digit number.
Q4. What if two numbers have the same hundreds and tens digits?
Then compare the ones digits. For example, 567 and 563 have the same hundreds (5) and tens (6), so compare ones: 7 > 3. Thus 567 > 563.
Q5. How can you remember which way the symbol points?
The open (wider) side of the symbol always faces the larger number. Think of it as a mouth that wants to eat the bigger number. So 500 > 300 — the open side faces 500.
Q6. Can you compare numbers without looking at every digit?
Sometimes. If the hundreds digits are different, you already know the answer without checking tens or ones. For example, 800 is always greater than any number starting with 7 (like 799).
Q7. How is comparing numbers useful in daily life?
Comparing numbers helps in many situations: checking prices while shopping (₹250 vs ₹350), comparing scores in cricket, checking distances between cities, or finding who has more marks.
Q8. What is the difference between comparing and ordering numbers?
Comparing means checking two numbers to see which is greater. Ordering means arranging three or more numbers from smallest to largest (ascending) or largest to smallest (descending).
