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COMPARING NUMBERS · GREATER THAN, LESS THAN · GRADE 2 & GRADE 3

Free Comparing Numbers Worksheet — Greater Than, Less Than

Practise greater than less than worksheets with bars — kids see which number is longer, then write >, < or =. Every sheet prints with a matching answer key. Three-digit numbers as bars — decide greater than, less than or equal and write >, < or =. Free, no signup.

345352
345 < 352
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Opens the builder set to greater than, less than · 8 pairs per sheet · free, no signup.

Comparing greater than, less than

Greater than and less than are just the symbols >, < and = used to compare numbers. With three-digit numbers you read place value left to right: compare the hundreds, then the tens, then the ones, stopping as soon as the digits differ. The bars give the big picture; the digits settle the close calls.

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Quick way to teach it: Always compare from the left: hundreds first, then tens, then ones. 345 < 352 because the hundreds and tens tie but 5 ones beat 2. The open end of the > or < sign always faces the bigger number.

Print a comparing numbers worksheet in three clicks

  1. Tap Generate a greater than, less than sheet above — the builder opens already set to greater than, less than.
  2. Hit Generate any time for a fresh set of pairs to compare.
  3. Toggle the answer key, then Print / Save PDF. Done.

Questions parents & teachers ask

How do I teach comparing greater than, less than?

Always compare from the left: hundreds first, then tens, then ones. 345 < 352 because the hundreds and tens tie but 5 ones beat 2. The open end of the > or < sign always faces 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.

What grade is comparing greater than, less than for?

This is usually taught in Grade 2 & Grade 3. Greater than and less than are just the symbols >, < and = used to compare numbers. With three-digit numbers you read place value left to right: compare the hundreds, then the tens, then the ones, stopping as soon as the digits differ. The bars give the big picture; the digits settle the close calls.

What do the symbols >, < and = mean?

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.

Why compare numbers with bars?

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.

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