Become a comparison champion! Learn to use greater than (>), less than (<), and equal to (=) like a pro. Compare numbers with confidence!
Practice comparing numbers with these fun interactive activities!
Choose the bigger number!
Drag >, <, or = to compare!
🖱️ Drag options below to the correct boxes (computer) or click to move (mobile)
Arrange numbers from smallest to largest!
Drag to sort or use ↑↓ buttons to adjust · Smallest to Biggest
Find all numbers bigger than 50!
Click all correct options
Learn to compare numbers like a math champion with these essential skills!
Comparing numbers means figuring out which number is BIGGER (greater), which is SMALLER (less), or if they're the SAME (equal). It's like asking: 'Who has more?' or 'Who has less?'
💡 Imagine a see-saw (balance) - the heavier side goes down, the lighter side goes up!
Toy Collection
Emma has 35 toys, Jake has 42 toys. Compare: 35 vs 42. Jake has MORE toys!
Basketball Score
Red team: 67 points, Blue team: 54 points. Compare: Red team is WINNING (67 > 54)!
Height Comparison
You're 48 inches tall, your friend is 45 inches. You're TALLER (48 > 45)!
Money Compare
You saved 89¢, brother saved 98¢. Brother has MORE money (98 > 89)!
Video Game Levels
You completed 72 levels, friend completed 72 levels. You're TIED! (72 = 72)
Comparing the wrong numbers! Always compare the whole number, not just one digit!
The > symbol means 'greater than' or 'more than'. The open side (big mouth) always faces the LARGER number. Think of it as a hungry alligator that wants to eat the bigger number!
💡 The alligator's mouth opens wide to eat the bigger number: 8 > 3 (mouth eats 8!)
Simple Example
75 > 48. The mouth opens to 75 because 75 is BIGGER than 48!
Cookie Count
Mom baked 52 cookies > Grandma baked 39 cookies. 52 > 39!
Pages Read
You read 91 pages > Friend read 87 pages. You read more! 91 > 87
Steps Walked
Yesterday: 68 steps > Today: 54 steps. Yesterday wins! 68 > 54
Turning the symbol backwards! Remember: Big number gets the open mouth!
The < symbol means 'less than' or 'smaller than'. The point always points to the SMALLER number. Same alligator, but now you're looking from the small number's side!
💡 The point (small end) points at the smaller number: 3 < 8 (point aims at 3!)
Simple Example
25 < 30. The point aims at 25 because 25 is SMALLER than 30!
Score Compare
First game: 43 points < Second game: 56 points. First game is less! 43 < 56
Temperature
Yesterday: 62°F < Today: 75°F. Yesterday was cooler! 62 < 75
Penny Count
You have 37 pennies < Friend has 82 pennies. You have fewer! 37 < 82
Mixing up < and >. Remember: The small point points to the small number!
The = symbol means 'equal to' or 'the same as'. Both sides have the exact same value! The two parallel lines show balance - perfectly even!
💡 Two lines like a perfectly balanced scale - same on both sides!
Same Numbers
50 = 50. Both sides are exactly the same! Perfect match!
Different Form, Same Value
40 + 5 = 45. Different ways to write it, but same value!
Twin Ages
Twin A is 7 years = Twin B is 7 years. Same age! 7 = 7
Equal Teams
Red team: 58 points = Blue team: 58 points. It's a TIE!
Using = when numbers aren't the same. 6 = 8 is WRONG! They're different!
The SMART way to compare: Look at TENS FIRST! The number with more tens is bigger. Only check ones if tens are the same. Tens are way more important than ones!
💡 Tens are like dollars, ones are like cents - always compare dollars first!
Different Tens
76 vs 84. Compare tens: 7 vs 8. Since 8 > 7, we know 84 > 76! Done!
Same Tens
52 vs 58. Tens are same (5 = 5). Now check ones: 2 vs 8. So 52 < 58!
Big Difference
93 vs 29. Tens: 9 vs 2. Easy! 93 > 29 (don't even need to check ones!)
Close Numbers
67 vs 66. Tens same (6 = 6). Ones: 7 vs 6. So 67 > 66 by just 1!
Money Strategy
85¢ vs 78¢. Compare dimes (tens): 8 > 7, so 85¢ > 78¢!
Looking at ones before tens! In 68 vs 72, some think 68 is bigger because 8 > 2. NO! Check tens first!
On a number line, numbers to the RIGHT are always BIGGER! Numbers to the LEFT are always SMALLER! The farther right you go, the bigger the number gets!
💡 Imagine a race track - runners farther ahead (right) are winning!
Simple Line
On a line: ...50...60...70... 70 is to the right of 60, so 70 > 60!
Finding Bigger
Between 45 and 54, which is bigger? 54 is farther right, so 54 > 45!
Finding Smaller
Between 82 and 78, which is smaller? 78 is farther left, so 78 < 82!
Three Numbers
Order: 23, 35, 41. On a line: 23 < 35 < 41 (left to right = smallest to biggest!)
Getting confused about which direction is bigger. Remember: RIGHT = BIGGER!
Comparing numbers isn't just for math class - we use it EVERY DAY! Shopping, sports, games, cooking, measuring, and more. Every time you ask 'which is more?', you're comparing!
💡 Comparison is everywhere - it helps you make smart choices in life!
Best Deal Shopping
Same toy: Store A = $35, Store B = $42. Compare: 35 < 42. Store A is cheaper!
Sports Records
Your record: 85 points. Try to beat it! Score 88! Compare: 88 > 85. New record!
Growth Tracking
Last year: 44 inches. This year: 48 inches. Compare: 48 > 44. You grew!
Time Management
Homework takes 35 minutes. Have 50 minutes. Compare: 50 > 35. Enough time!
Saving Goals
Need $75 for bike. Saved $62. Compare: 62 < 75. Need $13 more!
Not using comparison in real life! It's a superpower - use it to make smart decisions!
Ready to show off your >, <, and = skills? Take the practice quiz!
Start Practice Quiz