2nd grade · Math · Unit 1 of 17
Bigger or Smaller
Compare and order numbers
What your child practices
Comparing and ordering numbers, using <, > and =, and noticing numbers close to 50.
Alabama Course of Study content standard: 2.9 · comparing numbers using >, = and <
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Compare the tens first. More tens means a bigger number.
- If the tens match, compare the ones.
- To order numbers, put the smallest first.
Example: Which is bigger: 47 or 53? Tens: 4 tens and 5 tens. 5 tens is more, so 53 is bigger. Answer: 53
Bigger or Smaller in Alabama
In the Alabama Course of Study, this is unit 1 of 17 in 2nd grade Math, before Facts to 20.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which number is bigger?
- 38
- 73
73
Hint: Look at the tens first. More tens means a bigger number.
Question 2
Which number is bigger?
- 33
- 38
38
Hint: The tens are the same, so look at the ones.
Question 3
Tap the numbers from smallest to biggest.
- 71
- 59
- 99
- 29
29 → 59 → 71 → 99
Hint: Find the smallest first. Look at the tens! The smallest is 29.
Question 4
Which number is close to 50?
- 86
- 47
- 15
47
Hint: Numbers just a little more or a little less than 50 are close to 50.
Question 5
Which sign goes in the box?
82 87
- <
- =
- >
<
Hint: 87 is bigger. The open side of < or > faces the bigger number.
Question 6
Is 8 + 6 the same as 6 + 9?
8 + 6 ? 6 + 9
- No, not equal (≠)
- Yes, they are equal (=)
No, not equal (≠)
Hint: 8 + 6 = 14 and 6 + 9 = 15.