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.
Arizona Academic Standards learning standard: 2.NBT.A.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 Arizona
In the Arizona Academic 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: Arizona Department of Education
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?
- 19
- 93
93
Hint: Look at the tens first. More tens means a bigger number.
Question 2
Which sign goes in the box?
27 27
- <
- =
- >
=
Hint: Both numbers are the same, so they are equal.
Question 3
Tap the numbers from smallest to biggest.
- 49
- 39
- 64
- 89
39 → 49 → 64 → 89
Hint: Find the smallest first. Look at the tens! The smallest is 39.
Question 4
Tap the numbers from smallest to biggest.
- 90
- 46
- 13
- 71
13 → 46 → 71 → 90
Hint: Find the smallest first. Look at the tens! The smallest is 13.
Question 5
Is 6 + 5 the same as 3 + 7?
6 + 5 ? 3 + 7
- No, not equal (≠)
- Yes, they are equal (=)
No, not equal (≠)
Hint: 6 + 5 = 11 and 3 + 7 = 10.
Question 6
Which number is close to 50?
- 79
- 20
- 53
53
Hint: Numbers just a little more or a little less than 50 are close to 50.