Compare and Order Numbers
This topic covers 2 learning steps, guiding your child from the basics through to confident problem-solving. Each step includes a worked example and adaptive practice questions.
What Your Child Will Learn
- Greater/Less Than
Compare two numbers - Order Numbers
Put numbers in order to 100
Common Mistakes
- Comparing numbers by their first digit only (e.g. thinking 19 is less than 8 because 1 < 8)
Always compare the number of digits first. A two-digit number is always bigger than a one-digit number. Then compare tens, then units. Use a number line to show positions. - Confusing the "greater than" and "less than" symbols (> and <)
The symbol always "eats" the bigger number — like a crocodile opening its mouth towards the larger meal. 5 > 3 means "5 is greater than 3."
Tips for Parents
- Play "Higher or Lower" with a deck of cards — great for building comparison skills and it is a game children genuinely enjoy.
- Put numbers on a washing line in order. Start with numbers to 20, then extend to 100.
- Ask comparison questions during everyday life: "Which house number is bigger — 47 or 39? How do you know?"
- Use the crocodile mouth trick for > and < symbols: draw teeth on the symbols so the crocodile always faces the bigger number.
Key Words
- Greater than (>) — Bigger in value — 15 > 9 means 15 is greater than 9.
- Less than (<) — Smaller in value — 7 < 12 means 7 is less than 12.
- Equal to (=) — The same value — 5 = 5.
- Order — Arrange numbers from smallest to largest (ascending) or largest to smallest (descending).
- Compare — Look at two or more numbers to decide which is bigger, smaller, or equal.
Where This Fits
Before this topic: Children should recognise numbers to 100, understand tens and units, and count forwards and backwards.
After this topic: Comparing and ordering numbers to 100 leads to ordering numbers to 1,000 in Year 3 and understanding place value in larger numbers.
How MathCraft Teaches This
In MathCraft, Compare and Order Numbers is taught through the Money, Data & Measure adventure track. Your child follows guided lessons with friendly characters, works through examples step by step, then practises with questions that adapt to their level.
The adaptive engine tracks mastery across all 2 steps, revisiting concepts your child finds tricky and advancing when they're ready. Parents can see detailed progress in the Parent Dashboard.
Practise Compare and Order Numbers with MathCraft
Step-by-step lessons, worked examples, and adaptive practice — all wrapped in an adventure game your child will love.
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