Practise comparing numbers to 100 worksheets with bars — kids see which number is longer, then write >, < or =. Every sheet prints with a matching answer key. Two-digit numbers shown as bars on the same scale — compare the lengths, then write the symbol. Free, no signup.
Opens the builder set to numbers to 100 · 8 pairs per sheet · free, no signup.
Once numbers run past 20, comparing leans on place value: look at the tens first, and only check the ones if the tens are equal. The bars keep it visible — 72 stretches well past 58, so 72 > 58 — while the digits teach the shortcut underneath.
Quick way to teach it: Compare the tens digit first: 8 tens beats 5 tens, so 81 > 59 without even reading the ones. Only when the tens match do you look at the ones. The bars confirm it: the taller column is the bigger number.
Compare the tens digit first: 8 tens beats 5 tens, so 81 > 59 without even reading the ones. Only when the tens match do you look at the ones. The bars confirm it: the taller column is the bigger number. Print a fresh sheet, work a few pairs together each day, and check with the answer key — short, regular practice beats one long session.
This is usually taught in Grade 1 & Grade 2. Once numbers run past 20, comparing leans on place value: look at the tens first, and only check the ones if the tens are equal. The bars keep it visible — 72 stretches well past 58, so 72 > 58 — while the digits teach the shortcut underneath.
The greater-than sign > means the number on the left is bigger (5 > 3). The less-than sign < means the left number is smaller (3 < 5). The equals sign = means both numbers are the same (4 = 4). A simple trick: the open, wide end of > or < always faces the bigger number — like a hungry mouth eating the larger amount.
Bars turn comparing from a symbol rule into something you can see. Each number is drawn to scale, so the longer bar is plainly the bigger number — a child decides which is greater by looking, then writes the matching symbol. It builds the meaning behind >, < and = before the shortcut takes over.