Grade 2 · Place Value · MAT-02-PV-004
Compare Three-Digit Numbers
Compare three-digit numbers using hundreds, then tens, then ones.
Learning objectives
What you should be able to do
- Compare three-digit numbers using hundreds, then tens, then ones.
- Use >, <, and = accurately with three-digit numbers.
- Explain comparisons using place-value language and models.
Prerequisite check
Make sure the foundation is ready.
Checks the place-value understanding comparison depends on.
Learn
Build the idea from meaning, not memorization.
Compare the greatest place first
Hundreds have more value than tens or ones, so compare hundreds first. If the hundreds differ, the number with more hundreds is greater regardless of its other digits.
If hundreds tie, compare tens
When both numbers have the same number of hundreds, the hundreds do not decide the comparison. Move one place right and compare tens.
If hundreds and tens tie, compare ones
Only when the larger places are equal do ones determine which number is greater.
Symbols record the relationship
The symbol > means 'is greater than,' < means 'is less than,' and = means 'is equal to.' Read the complete statement from left to right and explain the place that made the decision.
Interactive math lab
Change it. See what stays true.
Base-Ten Lab
Change hundreds, tens, and ones and watch the total rebuild from place value.
- build two numbers
- compare models
- place symbol
- order three values
Worked examples
Twenty different ways to see the concept work.
Compare 532 and 421.
532>4215 hundreds > 4 hundreds.
Compare 306 and 390.
306<390Hundreds tie; 0 tens < 9 tens.
Compare 478 and 472.
478>472Hundreds/tens tie; 8 ones > 2 ones.
Compare 650 and 650.
=All places match.
Compare 199 and 200.
199<2001 hundred < 2 hundreds despite 99 in lower places.
Compare 702 and 699.
702>6997 hundreds > 6 hundreds.
Compare 845 and 854.
845<854Hundreds tie; 4 tens < 5 tens.
Compare 910 and 901.
910>901Hundreds tie; 1 ten > 0 tens.
Compare 405 and 450.
405<4500 tens < 5 tens.
Compare 999 and 1000.
999<10001000 has an additional thousand unit.
Which is greater, 287 or 278?
2872 hundreds tie; 8 tens > 7 tens.
Which is less, 604 or 640?
6046 hundreds tie; 0 tens < 4 tens.
Order 315,351,305.
305,315,351Compare hundreds, then tens.
Order 808,880,800.
800,808,880Same hundreds; tens then ones decide.
Can 398 be greater than 402 because 98>2?
NoCompare hundreds first, not the last two digits in isolation.
Base-ten models: 5H2T vs 4H9T9O.
5H2T is greaterOne additional hundred outweighs lower-place differences.
Which symbol: 721 __ 712.
>Hundreds tie; 2 tens > 1 ten.
Which symbol: 560 __ 506.
>Hundreds tie; 6 tens > 0 tens.
Which symbol: 303 __ 330.
<Hundreds tie; 0 tens < 3 tens.
Explain why comparing left to right works.
Place values decrease by factors of tenThe first differing place has enough value to determine the comparison.
Practice
Guided practice with hints
01Compare 612 and 599.
Hint: Start with hundreds.
Answer: 612>599
02Compare 742 and 749.
Hint: Hundreds and tens tie; compare ones.
Answer: 742<749
03Compare 808 and 880.
Hint: Hundreds tie; compare tens.
Answer: 808<880
04Which is greater: 391 or 319?
Hint: Compare tens after equal hundreds.
Answer: 391
05Order 420,402,412.
Hint: Use hundreds then tens then ones.
Answer: 402,412,420
06Explain 506<560.
Hint: Which place first differs?
Answer: Hundreds tie; 0 tens is less than 6 tens.
Practice
Independent practice
01Compare 725 and 715.
Answer: 725>715
02Compare 408 and 480.
Answer: 408<480
03Compare 999 and 998.
Answer: 999>998
04Compare 602 and 602.
Answer: =
05Order 734,743,704.
Answer: 704,734,743
06Which is less: 850 or 805?
Answer: 805
07Fill symbol: 390 __ 309.
Answer: >
08Explain 299<300.
Answer: 2 hundreds is less than 3 hundreds.
Common mistakes
Learn to catch the error, not just the answer.
Always begin at the greatest place value.
Higher-place differences dominate lower-place digits.
Read the full comparison left to right to verify the symbol direction.
Applications & challenge
Use the idea beyond a single exercise.
Applications
- Compare attendance, scores, or collection totals recorded as three-digit numbers.
- Rank page counts or distances given as whole numbers to 1000.
Challenge problems
Find the greatest number using digits 3,5,7 once each.
753
Find the least number using digits 3,5,7 once each.
357
Why is 499<500 despite 99 being large?
4 hundreds is less than 5 hundreds; the first differing place decides.
Create two numbers that differ only in the ones place and compare them.
Any valid example such as 462<469.
Flashcards
Retrieve it from memory.
Flashcards
Card 1 of 6
Game mode
Place-Value Showdown
Choose the greater, lesser, or equal three-digit value and identify the deciding place.
Practice
Mastery check
01Compare 631 and 629.
Answer: 631>629
02Compare 507 and 570.
Answer: 507<570
03Compare 888 and 888.
Answer: =
04Which is greater: 402 or 399?
Answer: 402
05Order 618,681,608.
Answer: 608,618,681
06What place do you compare first?
Answer: Hundreds
07When do ones matter?
Answer: When hundreds and tens are equal.
08Explain 745>739.
Answer: Hundreds tie; 4 tens is greater than 3 tens.
Terminology
Words to know
- greater than
- Having a larger numerical value.
- less than
- Having a smaller numerical value.
- equal to
- Having exactly the same value.
- compare
- Determine how two quantities relate in size.
Continue learning
Connected concepts
Curriculum references
Standards and instructional references
California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics — 2.NBT.A.4
Comparison of three-digit numbers using place value and symbols.