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Which is greater?
Joyful Mathematics: Chapter 8
GoalCompare two numbers up to 99 using tens first, then ones.
New words
greater · more, biggersmaller · lesscompare · look at two numbers and decide
Explanation
To compare two numbers, look at the tens first. 63 has 6 tens and 48 has 4 tens. 6 tens is more than 4 tens, so 63 is greater. If the tens are the same, look at the ones. 52 and 57 both have 5 tens, and 7 ones is more than 2 ones, so 57 is greater.
| Number | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | 6 | 3 |
| 48 | 4 | 8 |
Worked examples
71 and 69. 71 has 7 tens and 69 has 6 tens. So 71 is greater.
84 and 87 have the same tens. 7 ones is more than 4 ones, so 87 is greater.
A smaller number comes earlier when we count. 36 is smaller than 41.
Class activity
Bigger or smaller. Write the numbers 20 to 99 on small papers and fold them. Two children pick one paper each. Who has the greater number? That child scores a point. Play ten times.
Practice
1
Which is smaller, 35 or 53?
35
2
Which is greater, 88 or 79?
88
3
Which is greater, 64 or 69? The tens are the same.
| Number | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | 6 | 4 |
| 69 | 6 | 9 |
69
4
Put in order from smallest: 45, 54, 39.
39, 45, 54.
5
Fill in greater or smaller: 90 is ___ than 89.
greater