Comparing 2-digit numbers

Definitions

You have a pile of marbles that looks like this:

Your friend has a pile of marbles that looks like this:

Just by looking at the pictures, can you tell who has more marbles? It’s a bit tricky, right? But don’t worry; numbers can help us!
You have 67 marbles, and your friend has 59 marbles. Can you figure out who has more now?

Answer

Yes, you have more marbles because 67 is greater than 59. When we compare numbers, we look at which one is bigger. Let’s learn an easy way to do this!

Definition Comparing

Comparing means looking at two numbers to see which one is bigger, smaller, or if they are the same.

Definition Comparison Symbols

To compare numbers, we use three symbols:

\(=\)	equal
\(\gt\)	greater than
\(<\)	less than

To remember which way the \(\gt\) and \(\lt\) signs point, remember this:

BIG \(\gt\) small
small \(\lt\) BIG

The small end of the symbol always points to the smaller number.

How to Compare 2-Digit Numbers

Method Comparing 2-digit Numbers

Step 1: Compare Tens
Look at the tens place. The number with a larger tens digit is bigger.
Step 2: Compare Ones
If the tens are the same, look at the ones. The number with a larger ones digit is bigger.

Example

Compare 43 and 25.

Answer

Since 4 is in the tens place of 43 and is greater than 2 in the tens place of 25, 43 is greater than 25.
= 43 \(\gt\) 25 =

Example

Compare 45 and 43.

Answer

Both numbers have the same digit in the tens place (4). But 5, in the ones place of 45, is greater than 3 in the ones place of 43, so 45 is greater than 43.
45 = \(=45 \gt 43 =\)