Compare 3 Digits (<, >, = )
Basics on the topic Compare 3 Digits (<, >, = )
Comparing 3 Digit Numbers
When you are asked to compare 3 digit numbers, there are certain rules and steps to follow. This text teaches you everything you need to know about 3 digit number comparisons. You can display three digit numbers in a chart. This makes it easier to compare three digit numbers. For example, the number 103 looks like this:
| hundreds (h) | tens (t) | ones (o) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 3 |
Comparing 3 Digit Numbers – Steps
To compare three-digit numbers, you start comparing the greatest place value you have, until you find a place value with a greater digit, otherwise you continue down the place value chart.
Comparing 3 Digit Numbers – Example
When comparing 3 digit numbers, first set up a place value chart for each number, and place the numbers you are comparing inside them. Like in this one, we are comparing one hundred fifty-two with one hundred fifty-two.
First, start in the hundreds place value and compare the numbers. We see one here in both places, so we can move to the tens place value because they are equal.
Now we can compare the tens place value. We see five here in both places, so we can continue to the ones place value because they are equal.
In the ones place value, we can see the number two in both places. This means they are equal.
We have finished comparing, and we know every digit is equal to each other in each place value. This means that one hundred fifty-two is equal to one hundred fifty-two. In this example we compared a 3 digit number. This is a task you will probably face in 2nd grade.
Comparing 3 Digit Numbers – Summary
| Step # | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Start with the greatest place value, the hundreds. |
| 2 | If the hundreds place digits are the same, move to the tens place. |
| 3 | If the tens place digits are the same, move to the ones place |
| 4 | Compare using appropriate symbol ( > < = ) |
To compare three-digit numbers, you start in the highest place value. You compare each digit from left to right until you find a value that is greater. Then use the greater than, less than, or equal to signs to compare the numbers.
At the end of the video, you will find worksheets for comparing 3-digit numbers for the 2nd grade.
Transcript Compare 3 Digits (<, >, = )
Dundee is visiting Skylar and Henry and they are hungry. Dundee asks for food but will only eat food from whoever brings the most. Let's feed them by comparing three digit numbers. We can use the greater than, less than, or equal to symbols when comparing. A place value chart can help compare three digit numbers. We compare starting in the hundreds place, then the tens place, and finally the ones place. We stop comparing when we find a digit that is greater than or less than. If all place values are the same, the numbers are equal. For example, to compare these two numbers, start with the greatest place value, the hundreds. Check if the hundreds place digits are the same or different. There is one hundred in both, so move to the tens place. Check if the tens place digits are the same or different. There are five tens in both, so move to the ones place. Check if the ones place digits are the same or different. There are two ones, making these numbers equal, because all the place value digits are the same. One hundred fifty-two is equal to one hundred fifty-two. Oh, it looks like it's time to feed Dundee. Skylar gathered two hundred ten blueberries, and Henry gathered one hundred ninety-two. Starting in the greatest place value, we see two hundreds and one hundred. Two hundreds is greater than one hundred, so we do not need to continue comparing in the tens or ones places. Two hundred ten is greater than one hundred ninety-two. Dundee will guzzle up Skylar's plate of blueberries because it has more. Now Skylar and Henry have gathered grapes. Skylar gathered one hundred five grapes, and Henry gathered one hundred thirty-seven grapes. Start comparing in the hundreds place. Is one hundred greater than, less than, or equal to one hundred? One hundred is equal to one hundred, so move to the tens place and compare the digits. Are zero tens greater than, less than, or equal to three tens? Zero tens is less than three tens. We stop comparing here because we found a digit that is greater than or less than. Is one hundred five greater than, less than, or equal to one hundred thirty-seven? One hundred five is less than one hundred thirty-seven. Skylar's plate has less grapes, so Dundee devours Henry's plate of grapes. Before we see if Dundee is satisfied, let's review. Remember, when comparing three digit numbers, start with the greatest place value, the hundreds and compare. If the hundreds place digits are the same, move to the tens place and compare. If the tens place digits are the same, move to the ones place and compare. Finally, compare using the appropriate symbol, greater than, less than, or equal to. "Be very quiet Henry. We can't keep feeding them all our fruit!"
Compare 3 Digits (<, >, = ) exercise
-
Can you help Dundee use the expressions below to find the largest bowl of blueberries?
HintsRemember to start comparing in the hundreds place and work your way along each place value column.
Can you place 143 and 217 into a chart like this to compare them?
Remember to look carefully at the symbol when reading the expression.
Use this example to help you.
Solution217 is greater than 143.
Start in the largest place value, the hundreds place. We see that 200 is greater than 100, therefore 217 is greater than 143.
We do not need to compare the digits in any other place value column this time.
-
Can you compare the bowls?
HintsWhere do we start comparing 3-digit numbers?
If the hundreds are the same, look at the digits in the tens column. If these are the same, look at the digits in the ones column.
SolutionWhen comparing 3-digit numbers, start with the greatest place value, the hundreds place. If the values are the same, move to the tens place to compare the values. If those values are the same, move to the ones place. If all place values are the same, the numbers are equal to each other.
-
Is Dundee eating the correct bowls of fruit?
HintsRemember to start by looking at the digits with the greatest value and comparing them.
If all place values are exactly the same, the numbers are equal.
SolutionHere are the correct answers.
-
Which symbol is missing?
HintsPut the numbers into a place value chart to compare them more easily.
Start by comparing the hundreds, then the tens, and then the ones.
The symbol < means less than. The symbol > means greater than.
SolutionHere are the correct answers.
-
Who gathered the most blueberries?
HintsRemember to start comparing in the hundreds column.
Remember, Dundee wants to eat the bowl with the most blueberries so make sure his mouth is facing the right way!
SolutionHenry had collected more blueberries!
We start comparing the numbers in the hundreds place. We see that 200 is greater than 100 so we know that 217 is greater than 124.
We then put < in between the bowls to show that 217 is greater than 124.
-
Compare the numbers.
HintsHere is an example of comparing a set of three numbers.
Look for the largest or smallest number in each set and start from there.
Are any of the numbers equal to each other in the set?
If the symbol is < you need to order from smallest to largest.
If the symbol is > you need to order from largest to smallest.
SolutionThe sequences should read as follows:
1. 135 < 139 < 142
2. 390 > 386 > 372
3. 422 = 422 < 425
4. 219 < 234 = 234 < 238
5. 516 > 515 = 515 > 514
