Comparing Numbers (Grade 1)
Comparing numbers means finding out which number is more (greater) and which is less (smaller). We use the words greater than, less than, and equal to.
We can compare numbers by counting objects, using a number line, or by looking at how big each number is.
What is Comparing Numbers (Grade 1) - Class 1 Maths (Numbers 1 to 9)?
When we compare two numbers, we check which one is bigger and which one is smaller.
- Greater than (>) — the bigger number comes first. Example: 7 > 3
- Less than (<) — the smaller number comes first. Example: 3 < 7
- Equal to (=) — both numbers are the same. Example: 5 = 5
Tip: On a number line, the number on the right is always greater.
0 — 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7 — 8 — 9
Solved Examples
Example 1: Compare 4 and 7
Question: Which is greater, 4 or 7?
Think:
- On the number line, 7 is to the right of 4
- The number on the right is greater
- So 7 is greater than 4
Answer: 7 > 4. Seven is greater than four.
Example 2: Compare 2 and 8
Question: Which is less, 2 or 8?
Think:
- 2 is to the left of 8 on the number line
- The number on the left is less
Answer: 2 < 8. Two is less than eight.
Example 3: Are They Equal?
Question: Ria has 5 apples. Priya also has 5 apples. Compare.
Think:
- Ria has 5 and Priya has 5
- Both numbers are the same
Answer: 5 = 5. They are equal.
Example 4: More Mangoes
Question: Aman has 6 mangoes. Kavi has 3 mangoes. Who has more?
Think:
- Compare 6 and 3
- 6 is to the right of 3 on the number line
- 6 is greater than 3
Answer: Aman has more mangoes. 6 > 3.
Example 5: Fewer Pencils
Question: Aditi has 1 pencil. Dev has 9 pencils. Who has fewer pencils?
Think:
- Compare 1 and 9
- 1 is much less than 9
Answer: Aditi has fewer pencils. 1 < 9.
Example 6: Use the Crocodile Mouth
Question: Put the correct sign: 8 ___ 5
Think:
- 8 is greater than 5
- The crocodile mouth (open side) always faces the bigger number
- 8 > 5
Answer: 8 > 5.
Example 7: Compare 3 and 3
Question: Put the correct sign: 3 ___ 3
Think:
- Both numbers are the same
- Use the equal sign
Answer: 3 = 3.
Key Points to Remember
- Use > when the first number is greater (bigger).
- Use < when the first number is less (smaller).
- Use = when both numbers are the same.
- On a number line, the number farther to the right is greater.
- Crocodile trick: The open mouth always faces the bigger number.
Practice Problems
- Put the correct sign ( >, <, or = ): 6 ___ 2.
- Which is greater, 5 or 9? Use the number line.
- Ria has 4 toffees, Meera has 4 toffees. Compare using a sign.
- Write a number that is less than 3.
- Arrange from the smallest: 7, 1, 5.
- Put the correct sign: 0 ___ 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does comparing numbers mean?
Comparing numbers means looking at two numbers and deciding which is bigger, which is smaller, or if they are the same.
Q2. What do the signs > and < mean?
The sign > means greater than (the first number is bigger). The sign < means less than (the first number is smaller). Think of them as a crocodile mouth that opens towards the bigger number.
Q3. How do I remember which sign to use?
Use the crocodile trick: the open mouth of the sign always faces the bigger number. So 8 > 3 (mouth opens towards 8) and 3 < 8 (mouth opens towards 8).
Q4. Is 0 less than 1?
Yes. 0 is less than every counting number. 0 < 1.
Q5. What if both numbers are the same?
Use the equal sign (=). For example, 4 = 4 means both numbers are equal.
Q6. Which is the greatest number from 1 to 9?
9 is the greatest single-digit number. It is greater than all numbers from 1 to 8.
