Compare numbers with up to eight digits
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how to compare numbers with up to 8-digit numbers.
Key learning points
- The number of digits can help when ordering numbers - usually the more digits, the greater the number.
- When comparing numbers, the greatest value digit that is different determines the greater number.
- The stem sentence: 'the value of the digit in the ___ column is ___’ supports us to compare numbers.
Keywords
Compare - When we compare numbers, we determine whether a number is smaller than, greater than or equal to another according to similarities and differences in their values.
Inequality - An inequality compares values and is used to show that one number is not equal to another. The symbols < and > are used to indicate less than (<) or more than (>).
Common misconception
Children may think that the greater value number is the one that starts with the greater value digit even if the number has fewer digits overall.
When comparing numbers, compare the value of the digits not the digits themselves. If both numbers have the same amount of digits, so we need to compare the largest place value digit that is different.
Teacher tip
Use of a place value chart for children to write number on may support them to compare.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Look at these numbers. Select the number which is smallest.
Q2.Look at these numbers. Select the number which is greatest.
Q3.Look at these numbers. Which number is smallest?
Q4.Look at these numbers. Which number is greatest?
Q5.509 people visited a museum on Friday. On Saturday, 529 people visited the museum and on Sunday 592 people visited. Which day saw the most visitors?
Q6.Starting with the smallest, put these numbers in ascending order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fill in the missing inequality symbol (< or >)
4,130,590 413,590
Q2.Fill in the missing inequality symbol (< or >)
4,130,590 4,103,590
Q3.The mass of a tiger is about 310,000 g. A hippopotamus is about 1,300,000 g and a killer whale is about 3,628,000 g. Which animal is the heaviest?
Q4.On Monday, 8,034,420 children went to school in England. On Tuesday 8,043,420 children went to school. On Wednesday 8,043,240 children went to school. On which day did the most children attend school?
Q5.Starting with the smallest, put these numbers in ascending order.
Q6.Starting with the largest, put these numbers in descending order.
To help you plan your 6 maths lesson on: Compare numbers with up to eight digits, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 maths lesson on: Compare numbers with up to eight digits, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Order, compare and calculate with numbers up to 8 digits unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.