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      Securing understanding of ordering and comparing numbers

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can confidently order and compare a variety of numbers and measures.

      Key learning points

      1. In order to compare measures, conversion may be necessary.
      2. Measures can be converted using place value.
      3. Values can be ordered using inequality symbols.

      Keywords

      • Inequality - An inequality is used to show that one number or measurement is not equal to another.

      Common misconception

      The number with the largest value is the greatest measurement.

      Converting to the same unit can be helpful before comparing the place value of the digits. e.g. 0.4 m is bigger than 40 mm.

      Teacher tip

      Be careful when talking about metric units. For example, cm being 100th of a metre, that pupils don't think that to covert cm to m you divide by 100.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The metric units of capacity are millilitre, centilitre and __________.

      Correct Answer: litre, Litre

      Q2.
      Match together each unit with its type of measurement.

      Correct Answer:millimetres,length

      length

      Correct Answer:milligrams,mass

      mass

      Correct Answer:millilitres,capacity

      capacity

      Q3.
      The symbol < means:

      Correct answer: less than
      greater than
      less than or equal to
      greater than or equal to
      equal to

      Q4.
      What is 1.3 metres in centimetres?

      Correct answer: 130 centimetres
      13 cm
      0.013 cm
      1300 cm

      Q5.
      Select the correct statements.

      0.21 ml < 0.12 ml
      0.12 ml > 0.21 ml
      Correct answer: 0.21 ml > 0.12 ml
      Correct answer: 0.12 ml < 0.21 ml
      0.12 ml = 0.21 ml

      Q6.
      Starting with the smallest measurement, sort these measurements into ascending order.

      1 - 0.23 cm
      2 - 0.302 cm
      3 - 0.32 cm
      4 - 2.3 cm
      5 - 3.02 cm

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match each of these symbols with its definition.

      Correct Answer:<,less than

      less than

      Correct Answer:> ,greater than

      greater than

      Correct Answer:=,equal to

      equal to

      Q2.
      Select the correct symbol to replace the "?" in this statement: 1.45 m ? 14.5 cm

      Correct answer: >
      <
      =

      Q3.
      Select all the correct statements.

      420 ml < 42 cl
      42 ml > 42 cl
      Correct answer: 4200 ml > 4.02 l
      Correct answer: 0.402 l < 4.2 cl

      Q4.
      Select all the lists which can be ordered.

      Correct answer: 35 cl, 35 l, 35 ml
      23 mm, 23 mg, 23 m, 23 cm
      Correct answer: 98 kg, 980 g, 9.8 mg, 98 g
      7.8 kg, 7.8 ml, 78 mg 78 mm

      Q5.
      Starting with the smallest, sort these distances into ascending order.

      1 - 203 cm
      2 - 2.3 m
      3 - 302 cm
      4 - 3200 mm

      Q6.
      Starting with the smallest, sort these masses into ascending order.

      1 - 5670 mg
      2 - 6.57 g
      3 - 6750 mg
      4 - 0.0567 kg
      5 - 76.5 g

      To help you plan your 7 maths lesson on: Securing understanding of ordering and comparing numbers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...