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Bigger and smaller numbers
Joyful Mathematics: Chapter 3
GoalTell which number is bigger and which is smaller, up to 9.
New words
bigger · more; further along the number rowsmaller · fewer; closer to 1biggest, smallest · the most and the least in a group
Explanation
On the number row, numbers further to the right are bigger. Numbers to the left are smaller. 7 is bigger than 4. 4 is smaller than 7. Among 3, 8 and 5, the biggest is 8 and the smallest is 3. A bigger number means more things.
Worked examples
Which is bigger, 4 or 7? We look at the number row. 7 is bigger.
Among 3, 5 and 8 the biggest is 8. The smallest is 3.
Put 6, 2 and 9 in order from smallest to biggest: 2, 6, 9.
Class activity
Number cards battle. Make cards 1 to 9. Each player turns over a card. The player with the bigger number takes both cards. If the numbers are the same, turn over again. Who has more cards at the end?
Practice
1
Which number is bigger?
6.
2
What is the smallest of 5, 9 and 4?
4.
3
What is the biggest of 7, 3 and 6?
7.
4
Write from smallest to biggest: 8, 5, 7.
5, 7, 8.
5
Is 3 bigger or smaller than 8?
Smaller.