Use equality and inequality symbols to compare the relative size of two numbers

I can use the equality and inequality symbols to compare the relative size of two numbers.

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Year 1

Use equality and inequality symbols to compare the relative size of two numbers

I can use the equality and inequality symbols to compare the relative size of two numbers.

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Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

Use the symbols < > and = to compare pictorial representations.
Use the symbols < > and = to compare numerical expressions.
Compare 2 sets where the objects are not arranged linearly.
Use a number line to help with sense of number.
Moving along the number line corresponds to an increase in the value of the numbers - movement is magnitude.

Keywords

Number line - a line with numbers placed in their correct position.
More than / greater than - has a greater amount / more items.
Fewer than / less than - has a lesser amount / fewer items.
Equal to / the same - exactly the same amount or value.

Common misconception

Children may confuse the symbols < and >

Use lots of practical examples with cubes or objects inside the symbols so children can see the larger end contains the greater amount.

Ask children to make two towers of cubes and use rulers lined up with the top and bottom of each tower to create the < > and = symbols. You could make movable < > and = symbols from strips of card attached to a piece of card with paper fasteners.

Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).