Comparing Numbers up to 200
Comparing numbers means finding out which number is bigger, which is smaller, or if they are the same. In Class 2, you compare numbers up to 200.
We use the symbols > (greater than), < (less than), and = (equal to) to compare numbers.
What is Comparing Numbers up to 200 - Class 2 Maths (Numbers up to 200)?
To compare two numbers, we check their place values from left to right.
Symbols:
- > means greater than (bigger). Example: 156 > 134
- < means less than (smaller). Example: 108 < 120
- = means equal to. Example: 175 = 175
Compare: Hundreds first → Tens next → Ones last
Types and Properties
Steps to compare 3-digit numbers:
- Compare the hundreds digit. The number with more hundreds is bigger.
- If hundreds are the same, compare the tens digit.
- If tens are also the same, compare the ones digit.
- If all digits are the same, the numbers are equal.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Compare Hundreds First
Question: Compare 178 and 134.
Think:
- Hundreds: 1 = 1 (same)
- Tens: 7 > 3
Answer: 178 > 134
Example 2: Compare a 2-Digit and 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 bigger than a 2-digit number
Answer: 99 < 100
Example 3: Compare When Hundreds and Tens are Same
Question: Compare 146 and 149.
Think:
- Hundreds: 1 = 1 (same)
- Tens: 4 = 4 (same)
- Ones: 6 < 9
Answer: 146 < 149
Example 4: Word Problem — Heights
Question: Aman's building is 120 m tall. Priya's building is 135 m tall. Which building is taller?
Think:
- Hundreds: 1 = 1
- Tens: 2 < 3
- So 120 < 135
Answer: Priya's building is taller.
Example 5: Arranging in Order (Smallest to Biggest)
Question: Arrange in ascending order: 154, 112, 189, 130
Think:
- All have 1 in the hundreds place
- Compare tens: 1, 3, 5, 8
- Order: 112, 130, 154, 189
Answer: 112, 130, 154, 189
Example 6: Biggest and Smallest
Question: Which is the biggest number: 176, 167, 199, 171?
Think:
- All have hundreds = 1
- Tens: 7, 6, 9, 7
- Biggest tens digit = 9 (in 199)
Answer: The biggest number is 199.
Example 7: Equal Numbers
Question: Compare 165 and 165.
Think:
- Hundreds: 1 = 1
- Tens: 6 = 6
- Ones: 5 = 5
Answer: 165 = 165. They are equal.
Key Points to Remember
- Use > for greater than, < for less than, = for equal to.
- Compare from left to right: hundreds first, then tens, then ones.
- A 3-digit number is always greater than a 2-digit number.
- Ascending order = smallest to biggest. Descending order = biggest to smallest.
- The number with a bigger digit in the leftmost different place is the bigger number.
Practice Problems
- Compare: 142 ___ 139 (fill in >, <, or =)
- Compare: 99 ___ 101
- Arrange in ascending order: 180, 108, 118, 181
- Which is the smallest: 200, 150, 125, 175?
- Ria has 156 stickers and Meera has 165 stickers. Who has more?
- Compare: 177 ___ 177
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I compare two numbers?
Start from the leftmost digit (hundreds). If they are the same, move to tens, then ones. The first digit that is different tells you which number is bigger.
Q2. What do the symbols >, <, and = mean?
> means greater than (bigger), < means less than (smaller), = means equal to. The open end of > or < always faces the bigger number.
Q3. Is a 3-digit number always bigger than a 2-digit number?
Yes. The smallest 3-digit number is 100, which is bigger than the largest 2-digit number, 99.
Q4. What is ascending order?
Ascending order means arranging numbers from smallest to biggest. Example: 105, 120, 150, 190.
Q5. What is descending order?
Descending order means arranging numbers from biggest to smallest. Example: 190, 150, 120, 105.
Q6. How do I remember which way the symbol faces?
Think of the symbol as an open mouth. The mouth always opens toward the bigger number. 56 > 34 — the mouth opens toward 56 because 56 is bigger.
