Greater Than, Less Than, Or Equal Worksheets

As students begin to develop a sense of numeracy it starts with understanding that one number is different from another. We are now at a place where we want to actual put the label on that relationship that exists. If one value is larger than the other, we say that larger value is greater than the other one. We symbolize greater with the right-hand open symbol (>). The smaller value has a less than relationship and we symbolize that with the left-hand open symbol (<). There are a number of different ways to remember how to compare values. If you have an unequal relationship, you always point the arrow to the smaller value. You can also use the alligator model and say that the alligator is always going to eat the larger meal (value). This means that his jaws (the open part) will always point at the bigger value. This collection of worksheets will help identify the relationships between values and show you how to label them. These are also know as math comparison worksheets. We try to cover all that common comparisons.

• Comparing Numbers Up to 10 - Which number is bigger? Point to the smaller value.
• Compare Two-Digit Numbers - We need to remind ourselves to focus on the larger place value first.
• Compare Two Decimals (to the hundredths place) - These can go up to two place values to the right.
• Compare Two Decimals To Thousandths - These go a step further to the right.
• Compare Two Objects - Which group consists of more or less?
• Comparing Fractions with Like Numerators or Denominators - This is the fundamental concept in fraction operations.
• Comparing Values of Money - This is where it counts. Students are always just a little bit more motivated when it comes to working with money.
• Comparing Large Numbers - These values can be rather large. We even go into the millions territory.
• Finding Less In Sets - We look at sets of objects. A nice introduction to sorting values.
• Kindergarten Comparisons - This is the first time students will be asked to compare values or objects.
• Number Comparisons - Which value is larger or smaller?
• Number Comparisons (Under 1000) - Once this is mastered, you are ready to move on to sorting items.
• Ordering For Rational Numbers - We introduce the concept of ordering in ascending and descending order.
• Place Value 10 Times Greater - We begin to transition to working with this skill in a decimal based environment.
• Rounding Up and Down - This is the natural progression after students master this topic.
• Working with Tallies - We show you how to keep track in a quick and orderly manner.

Tips for Teaching the Concepts of Greater Than, Less Than, Or Equal

Many mathematical representative terms are difficult for students, and they find them tricky to remember. Just like greater than, less than and equal to. But don’t worry, these concepts are fairly simple and with the right example, your students will be able to recognize what greater than, less than, and equal is.

This particular concept of comparison is a pivotal concept that lays the foundation for a great number of concepts. So, it is paramount that students understand this idea so that they can apply it going forward. This is the key feature of an inequality, and it is important to form a good mindset about it. Here are some ideas that we encourage you to try with your students:

Greater than - Pick two students from your class. Give four books to one of them and two to the other. Now, tell them the difference between the quantities. Explain what does greater mean and lesser mean. Now ask them to identify which student has the larger quantity. Once they have done that, tell them how to compare, how quantities are different from one another. Once their concepts have clarified, now tell them that Student A has a greater number of books than Student B.

Less than - Once they have identified the greater than concept, the rest becomes easy. All you have to do now is point them in the right direction. Just ask them if we have to highlight the lesser quantity, what do we do. They will get the idea and say that Student B has lesser books than Student A.

Equal - Now, give two more books to student B. Now, start telling your students what it means when two quantities are the same. Whenever two quantities, there is no comparison left and instead, we use the term equal. So, the sentence will be read as Student A, and Student B have an equal number of books.