2nd grade · Math · Unit 1 of 16
Bigger or Smaller
Compare and order numbers
What your child practices
Comparing and ordering numbers, using <, > and =, and noticing numbers close to 50.
Alaska content standards learning standard: 2.NBT.4 · 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 Alaska
In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 1 of 16 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.
Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
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
Is 7 + 5 the same as 10 + 2?
7 + 5 ? 10 + 2
- Yes, they are equal (=)
- No, not equal (≠)
Yes, they are equal (=)
Hint: 7 + 5 = 12 and 10 + 2 = 12.
Question 2
Which number is bigger?
- 97
- 17
97
Hint: Look at the tens first. More tens means a bigger number.
Question 3
Tap the numbers from smallest to biggest.
- 89
- 91
- 67
- 16
16 → 67 → 89 → 91
Hint: Find the smallest first. Look at the tens! The smallest is 16.
Question 4
Which number is bigger?
- 85
- 23
85
Hint: Look at the tens first. More tens means a bigger number.
Question 5
Which number is bigger?
- 11
- 16
16
Hint: The tens are the same, so look at the ones.
Question 6
Which sign goes in the box?
21 25
- <
- =
- >
<
Hint: 25 is bigger. The open side of < or > faces the bigger number.