Compare hundreds first
684 is greater than 542 because 6 hundreds is more than 5 hundreds.
The hundreds digit often decides first.
Year 3
Compare and order numbers up to 1000
Compare three-digit numbers and place them in order using place value.
Lesson overview
Number - number and place value
To compare numbers up to 1000, look at the hundreds first. If the hundreds are the same, compare the tens. If the tens are the same too, compare the ones.
If hundreds match
418 is less than 472 because the tens are smaller.
Both numbers have 4 hundreds, so compare the tens.
Order a set
Place the numbers from least to greatest.
Compare one place at a time carefully.
Worked example
Order 276, 267 and 296 from smallest to largest.
- All three numbers have 2 hundreds.
- Compare the tens digits next.
- 267 has 6 tens, so it is the smallest. 276 has 7 tens. 296 has 9 tens.
- So the order is 267, 276, 296.
Try it
Compare the hundreds, then the tens, then the ones if needed.
Question 1
Which number is greater?
Question 2
Which symbol makes this true: 418 __ 481?
Question 3
Which order is from smallest to largest?
Question 4
Write the smallest number: 563, 536, 653
Question 5
Which number is between 450 and 500?
Common mistakes
Watch for these when working through the lesson.
- Comparing only the ones digit first.
- Forgetting to put the numbers into the direction asked.
- Mixing up the symbols < and >.
Related topics
These ideas fit closely with this lesson.
- Recognise the place value of each digit in a three-digit number.
- Identify, represent and estimate numbers using different representations.