New
New
Year 1

Compare two numbers and say which is greater than or less than the other

I can compare two numbers and say which is greater than or less than the other.

New
New
Year 1

Compare two numbers and say which is greater than or less than the other

I can compare two numbers and say which is greater than or less than the other.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Numbers can be represented as numerals or using representations.
  2. Numbers can be compared to see which one is larger or smaller.
  3. The equality and inequality symbols < > and = can be used to show which number is larger or smaller.
  4. The 5 and a bit structure can be used to compare by comparing the additional 'bit'.

Keywords

  • Compare - You compare to find out what is the same and what is different and compare numbers to find out if one is greater than or less than another.

  • More than - More than means having a larger amount of objects in a set than another set.

  • Greater than - Greater than means a number has a larger value than another number.

  • Fewer than - Fewer than means having a smaller amount in a set than another set.

  • Less than - Less than means a number has a smaller value than another number.

Common misconception

Children may confuse the inequality symbols and use them the incorrect way around.

Take time to practise using the symbols with hand signals or using manipulatives. Emphasise the shape of the symbols reflecting their use i.e. more cubes 'fit' into the wider end of the symbol.

Using hand signals for greater than, less than and equal to can reinforce the correct use of inequality symbols. Encourage pupils to show the symbols visually every time they use comparative language.
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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which sentence matches the picture?
An image in a quiz
There are 5 dots and 1 more.
Correct answer: There are 5 dots and 2 more.
There are 5 dots and 3 more.
There are 5 dots and 5 more.
Q2.
Which sentence matches the beads?
An image in a quiz
8 beads is five and 1 more.
8 beads is five and 2 more.
Correct answer: 8 beads is five and 3 more.
8 beads is five and 4 more.
Q3.
Choose the correct number to complete the sentence. Six beetles is five and ___ more.
An image in a quiz
4
2
Correct answer: 1
3
Q4.
Which tens frame matches the ladybirds?
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q5.
Which pictures show the number that is five and 2 more?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
Which number do these pictures show?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 9, nine

6 Questions

Q1.
Which string has more beads?
An image in a quiz
String A has more beads than string B
Correct answer: String B has more beads than string A
Q2.
Which picture shows the smaller number?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: A
B
Q3.
Which picture shows the greater number?
An image in a quiz
A
Correct answer: B
Q4.
Which is the correct way to compare the numbers 6 and 8?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 8 is greater than 6
6 is greater than 8
Correct answer: 8 > 6
6 > 8
Q5.
Which is the correct way to compare the numbers 6 and 9?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 6 is less than 9
9 is less than 6
9 < 6
Correct answer: 6 < 9
Q6.
Which is the correct way to compare the numbers 7 and 9?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 7 is less than 9
Correct answer: 9 is greater than 7
Correct answer: 7 < 9
Correct answer: 9 > 7