Comparing and Ordering
Evan was watching his mother arranging a group of plants in a straight line.
On asking her what she was doing, she said she was comparing them based on height.
Curious, Evan asked her why she was doing this.
To which, Mom said comparing would help her order the plants based on their height.
Comparing and ordering is an integral part of our every day lives. Will you like to learn more about comparing and ordering?
Lesson Plan
What Is Comparing And Ordering?
Comparing
Comparing is the process in which we observe similar properties of different objects or things.
Two or more objects may have similar properties like weight, height, cost, etc.
For example, we compare common features and prices before buying mobile phones.
Similarly in math, we compare the place values to find greater or smaller numbers.
How does one compare numbers?
Step 1: Compare the number of digits. More number of digits means greater the number.
Hence, 2132 is greater than 546.
Step 2: If the number of digits is the same then compare the higher place-values. A higher face value means a greater number.
Hence, 5214 is greater than 3122.
Step 3: If the higher place values are having the same face values then compare lower face values.
Hence, 3242 is less than 3263.
Ordering
The arrangement of objects, numbers, etc in ascending or descending order of their values after comparison is called ordering.
For example, these kids are standing according to the ascending order of their heights.
Like these balls are arranged in ascending order of the numbers written on them.
Number Sorter
Enter your numbers inside the bracket with a comma and the sorter will arrange them in ascending and descending order.
What Are the Benefits Of Comparing And Ordering?
Benefits and achievements of comparing and ordering are:
- It helps children in classifying objects as their size, shape, weight, and value.
- It increases the logical reasoning and aptitude of the kids.
- It helps them to understand daily life problems faced during the choice of items while shopping.
- It makes their decision making strong.
- It enables qualitative sorting among kids.
- Most importantly, it helps kids to develop number sense which helps them to build strong mathematical concepts.
- We can compare objects only on the basis of common properties or features.
- Before sorting, one needs to compare the objects.
- While forming the smallest number from the digits containing 0, zero should be placed at the second-highest place value.
Incorrect: 0348 Correct: 3048
Solved Examples
| Example 1 |
Steffy wants to gift a microwave oven to her mom. She saw two ovens having the same features having a listed price of $250 and $252. Which microwave oven should Steffy buy for a good deal?
Solution
To get the best deal, we need to compare the list prices.
| Place value |
$250 Face values |
<,>,= |
$252 Face values |
| Thousands | 2 | = (equal to) | 2 |
| Hundreds | 5 | = (equal to) | 5 |
| Tens | 0 | < (less than) | 2 |
On comparing we find, 250 is less than 252.
|
Hence, Steffy should buy the microwave oven which cost her $250 to get the best deal. |
| Example 2 |
Megan purchased some items from a store worth $55 but she has $40 only with her. She decided to return the most expensive item. Which is the most expensive item she should return?
Solution
To find the most expensive item, arrange the prices in ascending order.
{$5, $6, $7, $9, $12, $18}
Now, $18 is at the last. It means, its value is highest.
| Hence, Megan would return chocolates to buy the remaining items. |
- Andy wants to find the difference between the highest and smallest number formed by the digits 5, 9, 2, 8, and 0. Can you help him?
(Hint: Sort the digits in ascending and descending order and place 0 at thousands place in ascending order)
Interactive Questions
Here are a few activities for you to practice. Select/Type your answer and click the "Check Answer" button to see the result.
Let's Summarize
This mini-lesson targeted the fascinating concept of comparing and ordering. We hope you enjoyed learning about compare and order with the simulations and practice questions. Now, you will be able to easily solve problems on comparing and ordering.
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FAQs on Comparing And Ordering
1. How do you compare numbers in Math?
In math, a comparison of numbers is done by examining the place values of the digits.
2. What does comparing mean?
Comparing is the process in which we observe similar properties of different objects or things before sorting them.
3. What is ordering and comparing numbers?
Arranging the numbers in ascending or descending order is called ordering which is done after examining the numbers as smaller or greater called comparing.
4. How do you teach comparing and ordering?
You can teach comparing and ordering by discussing height, weight, etc. of a few objects of surrounding.
5. How do you compare and order whole numbers?
We can compare and order whole numbers using the number line.
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