N
6
Number and Operations in Base Ten
3
Comparing and
Ordering Numbers Objective
Comparing and ordering numbers requires a deep understanding of place
value, which students will develop with sufficient work with multiple Compare and order one- through
representations of numbers, including numbers in standard notation four-digit numbers using <>
expanded notation, word form, Base Ten Blocks representation, and on a and =,
number line. In order to compare and order numbers, students also will need
including <, to understand symbols used in comparing
Common Core
State Standards
Try lt! Perform the next page. 1 4.NBT.2 Read and write multi
digit whole numbers using base-
ten numerals, number names,
and expanded form. Compare Talk About It two multi-digit numbers based
on meanings of the digits in
Discuss the Try It! activity each place, using > and <
symbols to record the results
Write the numbers 1,394 and 1,439 on the board. Ask: Which number is of comparisons
larger? How can you tell?
Ask: If you were to order the numbers 1,394 and 1,439 from largest to
smallest, which number would come first?
Write 1,394< 1,439. Ask: Can you write another statement about these
numbers using the > sign? Can you write a statement using the = sign?
Solve It
With students, reread the problem. Ask students to write a number sentence
using < and > to compare the numbers. Then have students explain in writing
which grade collected more cans
More Ideas
For other ways to teach about comparing and ordering numbers-
Have students work in pairs to play a game using Base Ten Blocks. One
partner should come up with two numbers to compare. The other partner
should compare the numbers using the correct sign (> or <). Students
then model both numbers using blocks to see if the comparison was right.
Set up a learning center with Base Ten Blocks and have pairs take turns using
them. Have students model a number with the blocks and challenge their
partners to model a number that is less than or greater than it
Formative Assessment
Have students try the following problem
Which is the correct symbol to fill in the box?
8,863 8,683
46
A. < B. > C.
Try It! 20 minutes I Groups of 6
Here is a problem about comparing and ordering numbers
In one month, the third grade collected 1, 378 cans for the school's recycling
program. The fourth grade collected 1, 783 cans in the same month. Which
grade collected more cans in a month?
Introduce the problem. Then have students do the Materials
activity to solve the problem. Distribute Base Ten Base Ten Blocks (1 cube, 10 flats
10 rods, and 10 units per group) Blocks, a Place-Value Chart (BLM 5), paper, and
Place-Value Chart (BLM 5; 1 per student) pencils to students. Introduce the <, >, and = signs to
paper (1 sheet per student) students, explain their meanings, and demonstrate
pencils (1 per student) their use by comparing one- two-, three-, and four-
digit numbers
2. Say: The second number is 1,783. Have 1. Say: We are going to compare two numbers
students model the number with blocks and to find which is larger. Our first number is 1,378.
then draw a picture of the blocks they used Have students use blocks to model 1,378. Then
on the Place-Value Chart. ask them to draw the blocks they used in the
appropriate columns of the Place-Value Chart.
A Look Out
Watch for students who succeed with the 05
00
Place- -Value Chart but don't create the numbers 00D
correctly using the blocks. For example, a
student may create the number 23 using 1 rod 103
and 13 units. Assist students by helping them 578
see that 10 units equal 1 rod. This will help
them with their number sense
3. Have students write the numbers 1 378
and 1,783 side by side. Say: Compare your
drawings. Start at the thousands and move
to the right until the drawings are different.
Ask: How are they different? Instruct students
to place the appropriate symbol between
the numbers
Answer Key 3
Number and Operations in Base Ten
Use Base Ten Blocks to build each number. Write an inequality
using < or > that compares the numbers (Check students' work.)
XX X XX
X
XX XX
XXX
() 1,337 1,258
2
466 556
Use Base Ten Blocks to build the numbers. Sketch the models in a Place
Value Chart. Complete the inequality. (Check students' models.)
3. 7,479 and 7,794
Thousands Hundreds Tens Ones
)
7,479 7,794
Use <, =, or > to complete each inequality
6,004 5. 1,087 ( ) 1,078 )5,643
3
7. 3,181 ( )2,081 9. 9,104 (- ) 9,140 <
48 Hands-On Standards, Common Core Edition Download student pages at hand2mind.com/hosstudent
Answer Key
Challenge! Explain why when comparing two numbers, you
work from left to right. Draw a picture to help
Challenge: (Sample) You must compare from left to right because the greater
place values are on the left.
N
0 Download student pages at hand2mind.com/hosstudent. Hands-On Standards, Common Core Edition 49
BLM
5
Name
)
t
S
S
O
152 BLM 5 Place-Value Chart
Download student pages at hand2mind com/hostudent.