Comparing 3-Digit Numbers
In Class 2, children start comparing 3-digit numbers (100 to 200). Comparing means finding out which number is greater (bigger) and which is smaller.
We use the symbols > (greater than), < (less than), and = (equal to) to compare numbers.
What is Comparing 3-Digit Numbers - Class 2 Maths (Numbers up to 200)?
Comparing numbers means checking which number has a higher or lower value.
Steps to compare 3-digit numbers:
- First, compare the hundreds digits. The number with the bigger hundreds digit is greater.
- If hundreds digits are the same, compare the tens digits.
- If tens digits are also the same, compare the ones digits.
Symbols:
- > means "greater than" (example: 156 > 132)
- < means "less than" (example: 108 < 145)
- = means "equal to" (example: 130 = 130)
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Compare 145 and 132
Question: Which is greater: 145 or 132?
Think:
- Hundreds digit: 1 = 1 (same)
- Tens digit: 4 and 3 → 4 > 3
- So 145 > 132
Answer: 145 > 132. 145 is greater.
Example 2: Example 2: Compare 108 and 180
Question: Put the correct sign: 108 ___ 180.
Think:
- Hundreds digit: 1 = 1 (same)
- Tens digit: 0 and 8 → 0 < 8
- So 108 < 180
Answer: 108 < 180.
Example 3: Example 3: Compare a 2-digit and 3-digit number
Question: Which is greater: 99 or 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: 100 > 99.
Example 4: Example 4: Priya and Aman’s stickers
Question: Priya has 167 stickers. Aman has 172 stickers. Who has more?
Think:
- Hundreds: 1 = 1 (same)
- Tens: 6 and 7 → 6 < 7
- 167 < 172
Answer: Aman has more stickers. 172 > 167.
Example 5: Example 5: Arrange in order
Question: Arrange 134, 143, 130 from smallest to greatest.
Think:
- All have hundreds digit 1
- Tens digits: 3, 4, 3
- 130 and 134 both have tens digit 3 → compare ones: 0 < 4 → 130 < 134
- 143 has tens digit 4 → 143 is the greatest
Answer: 130 < 134 < 143.
Example 6: Example 6: Equal numbers
Question: Compare 150 and 150.
Think:
- Hundreds: 1 = 1
- Tens: 5 = 5
- Ones: 0 = 0
- All digits are the same
Answer: 150 = 150. They are equal.
Example 7: Example 7: Greatest and smallest
Question: From the numbers 112, 195, 148, 121, find the greatest and smallest.
Think:
- All start with 1 in hundreds place
- Compare tens: 1, 9, 4, 2
- Biggest tens digit = 9 → 195 is greatest
- Smallest tens digit = 1 (two numbers: 112 and 121) → compare ones: 2 and 1 → 112 is smallest
Answer: Greatest = 195. Smallest = 112.
Key Points to Remember
- Compare numbers starting from the leftmost digit (hundreds first, then tens, then ones).
- A 3-digit number is always greater than a 2-digit number.
- Use > for greater than, < for less than, = for equal to.
- If two numbers have the same hundreds and tens digit, look at the ones digit.
- To arrange numbers in order, compare them in pairs.
Practice Problems
- Put the correct sign: 123 ___ 132.
- Which is greater: 189 or 198?
- Arrange 156, 165, 150 from smallest to greatest.
- Aditi has 143 beads and Kavi has 134 beads. Who has more?
- Compare 200 and 199. Use > , < , or = .
- Find the greatest number: 111, 119, 191, 109.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do you compare 3-digit numbers?
Start with the hundreds digit. If they are equal, compare the tens digits. If those are also equal, compare the ones digits. The number with the bigger digit at the first different place is greater.
Q2. What do the signs > and < mean?
The sign > means "greater than" (the open side faces the bigger number). The sign < means "less than" (the pointed side faces the smaller number).
Q3. Is a 3-digit number always bigger than a 2-digit number?
Yes. The smallest 3-digit number is 100, which is greater than the largest 2-digit number, 99.
Q4. How do I remember which way the sign points?
Think of the sign as a hungry mouth. The open end always faces the bigger number. 145 > 120 (mouth faces 145 because it is bigger).
Q5. What if two numbers are exactly the same?
Use the = sign. Example: 150 = 150. Both numbers have the same value.
Q6. Can I compare by just looking at the last digit?
No. You must compare from left to right. 190 is greater than 189 even though 9 > 0 in the ones place. The tens digit decides here (9 = 8 is wrong; actually 9 > 8).
