In this lesson students will compare different types of numbers. Students utilize the 'greater than', 'less than' and 'equal to' signs in order to evaluate one numbers relationship to another. This lesson was designed for students at the 6th grade level.

1. Comparing
Numbers
NUMBERS AND
NUMBER
SENSE

2. COMPARING NUMBERS
 By comparing numbers you can tell if a
number is equal to, greater than or less
than another number. The symbols are:
Equal To (=)
Less Than (<)
Greater Than (>)

3. COMPARING NUMBERS
 When two numbers or two expressions
carry the same value they are equal. In this
case we use the equal (=) sign.
E.g. 5+3 = 7+1
(8) (8)

4. COMPARING NUMBERS
 The Less Than (<) and Greater Than (>)
signs look very similar. The both look like
V’s turned on their side. So how can we tell
them apart?
 The ‘open’ end of the V always points
toward the bigger number and the closed
end toward the smaller number.
 Let’s take a look on the next 2 slides.

5. COMPARING NUMBERS
 In the case of the ‘Less Than’ sign, the format
is:
Smaller Number Less Than Sign Bigger
Number
568 <
856

6. COMPARING NUMBERS
 In the case of the ‘Greater Than’ sign, the
format is:
Bigger Number Greater Than Sign Smaller
Number
625 >
562

7. COMPARING NUMBERS
 In both cases, the ‘open’ end of the V
points to the larger number.
568 < 856
625 > 562

8. COMPARING NUMBERS
EXERCISE
 Now you try it. See if you can figure out
which expression should be used. Is it =, < or
>
1. 6 + 9 ___ 9 + 5
Write the entire expression along with the
answer in your book or on your
computer.

9. COMPARING NUMBERS
EXERCISE
 Did you get the answer below? 15 is
greater than 14, Awesome Job!
1. 6 + 9 > 9 + 5
You’re a
Supersta
r!

10. COMPARING NUMBERS
EXERCISE
 How about this one, see if you can figure out
which expression should be used. Is it =, < or
>
2. 14÷7 ___ 14-7
Write the entire expression along with the
answer in your book or on your
computer.

11. COMPARING NUMBERS
EXERCISE
 Did you get the answer below? 2 is
definitely less than 7, Awesome Job!
2. 14÷7 < 14-7
You
Rock
!

12. COMPARING NUMBERS
EXERCISE
 One more try, see if you can figure out which
expression should be used. Is it =, < or >
3. (14÷7)+2 ___ (14-7)-3
Write the entire expression along with the
answer in your book or on your
computer.

13. COMPARING NUMBERS
EXERCISE
 Did you get the answer below? Give
yourself a pat on the back!
3. (14÷7)+2 = (14-7)-3
2 + 2 7 -
3
Great
!

14. COMPARING NUMBERS
RECAP
 In this lesson you learned:
The three comparison signs
The difference between the less than and
greater than signs
How to compare two numbers or two
expressions
GREAT WORK!