3
Greater, less or equal
Discover Mathematics: Chapter 3
GoalCompare two groups or two numbers up to 15 and say greater than, less than or equal to.
New words
greater than · more thanless than · fewer thanequal to · the same as
Explanation
To compare two groups, count each one. If one group has more, its number is greater than the other number. If it has fewer, its number is less than the other number. If both groups have the same number, the numbers are equal. When we count up, the number we say later is greater. 14 is greater than 11, because we say 14 after 11.
Worked examples
Omar has 12 biscuits and Nour has 8. 12 is greater than 8. 8 is less than 12.
There are 7 cats and 7 dogs. The groups have the same number, so 7 is equal to 7.
Which is greater, 9 or 15? We say 15 after 9, so 15 is greater than 9.
Class activity
Two bowls of dates. Put some dates in one bowl and some in another, up to 15 in each bowl. The child counts both bowls and says: this number is greater than that one, or less than that one, or equal to it. Then add or take away dates until the two numbers are equal.
Practice
1
Which group is greater, the left group or the right group?
The left group. It has 15 and the right group has 11.
2
Are the two groups of bees equal?
Yes. Each group has 6 bees.
3
Which number is less, 12 or 15?
12
4
Which number is greater, 10 or 14?
14
5
Finish the sentence: 13 is ___ 13. Use greater than, less than or equal to.
equal to