To compare two whole numbers, first count the digits: more digits means a larger number, so 100 beats 89. When two numbers have the same number of digits, compare from the left — the biggest place value decides. 61 beats 58 because 6 tens beats 5 tens; the ones digit only matters if the tens are equal. A big first digit alone, a big last digit, or a big digit total do not make a number larger.
Explore this idea with maths tools
Maths you can move
Build 8 + 5
Tap two gold counters to fill the ten-frame.
8 in the frame + 5 waiting. The total stays the same.
Words to know
- compare
- decide which number is larger or smaller
- leading digit
- the left-most digit of a number
Worked examples
89 or 100?
- 1.100 has three digits, 89 has two.
- 2.More digits wins.
= 100
61 or 58?
- 1.Both have two digits; compare tens.
- 2.6 tens beats 5 tens.
= 61
199 or 1000?
- 1.1000 has four digits, 199 has three.
- 2.More digits wins.
= 1000
For parents
Method: Line the numbers up by place value, right-aligned.
What to say: Ask 'which has more digits?' then compare from the left column.
Common mistakes:
- Judging by the leading digit (89 over 100).
- Judging by the ones digit (58 over 61).
- Judging by the digit total (199 over 1000).