Comparing Numbers

Based on their prior knowledge, students are familiar with representing and comparing numbers. However, using the symbols to compare numbers is new concept for the students. Given the time to practice and become familiar with the symbols, should will grasp the concept quickly.  The use of the learning aids must be accompanied by the connection to the names: < Less Than, > Greater Than, and = Equal To.

More importantly, students need to begin to develop the understanding of what it means for one number to be greater than another based on the place value of digits. Additionally, the symbols are shortcuts for writing down this relationship. Finally, students need to begin to understand that both inequality symbols (<, >) can create true statements about any two numbers where one is greater/smaller than the other, (15 < 28 and 28 >15).