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2nd grade · Math · Unit 1 of 18

Bigger or Smaller

Compare and order numbers

What your child practices

Comparing and ordering numbers, using <, > and =, and noticing numbers close to 50.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: NY-2.NBT.4 · comparing three-digit numbers using >, = and <

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Compare the tens first. More tens means a bigger number.
  2. If the tens match, compare the ones.
  3. 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 New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 1 of 18 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: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which number is bigger?

    • 42
    • 24

  2. Question 2

    Which number is close to 50?

    • 86
    • 53
    • 18

  3. Question 3

    Which number is bigger?

    • 79
    • 44

  4. Question 4

    Is 4 + 9 the same as 7 + 7?

    4 + 9 ? 7 + 7

    • Yes, they are equal (=)
    • No, not equal (≠)

  5. Question 5

    Tap the numbers from smallest to biggest.

    • 58
    • 72
    • 96
    • 82

  6. Question 6

    Which sign goes in the box?

    32 32

    • <
    • =
    • >

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