Comparing means looking at two groups and deciding which has more, which has fewer, or whether they are the same. It is something you do all the time — who has more sweets, which line is longer. This lesson shows how to compare groups and the signs we use to write it down.
Which group has more?
To compare two groups, we can match them up one to one, or simply count each group and see which number is bigger. The group with the bigger number has more. The group with the smaller number has fewer. If the numbers are the same, the groups are equal.
In the picture, the top group has 4 and the bottom group has 2. Four is more than two, so the top group has more.
The top group (4) has more than the bottom group (2).
The greater-than and less-than signs
We write comparisons with special signs. > means 'is greater than' (more), and < means 'is less than' (fewer). A helpful trick: the sign is like a hungry mouth that always opens toward the bigger number. So we write 4 > 2 ('4 is greater than 2') and 2 < 4 ('2 is less than 4').
When two numbers are the same, we use the equals sign: 3 = 3.
Worked example
Compare 6 and 9 using the right sign.
Which is bigger? 9 is bigger than 6.
The open mouth of the sign points to the bigger number, 9.
So we write 6 < 9 (6 is less than 9).
Answer: 6 < 9
Ordering numbers
Once you can compare two numbers, you can put a whole list in order, from smallest to biggest or biggest to smallest. Compare them two at a time to decide which comes first.
For example, to order 5, 2, and 8 from smallest to biggest, we get 2, 5, 8. Putting numbers in order is a skill you will use in lots of maths later on.
Check yourself
Try these. Pick an answer to see whether it's right and why.
A group of 7 and a group of 4. Which group has more?
7 is bigger than 4, so the group of 7 has more.
The > sign opens toward which number?
Think of a hungry mouth — it opens toward the bigger number.
Which is correct?
3 is less than 8, so 3 < 8 is correct.
Put in order from smallest to biggest: 5, 2, 8.
The smallest is 2, then 5, then 8: 2, 5, 8.
Which sign goes between two numbers that are the same?
When numbers are the same we use the equals sign, like 3 = 3.
In a nutshell
Compare groups by matching or counting: bigger number means more, smaller means fewer, same means equal.
> means greater than and < means less than — the open mouth points to the bigger number.
Comparing two at a time lets you put a whole list of numbers in order.
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