Classroom · Greater than and less than · 2nd grade

Comparing three-digit numbers worksheets

Q: How do you teach comparing three-digit numbers?

Line the numbers up and compare from the left. Hundreds first, then tens, then ones. 405 > 398 because 4 hundreds is more than 3 hundreds, even though 98 looks big. Write both numbers in a place value chart, one under the other. Children circle the first place where the digits are different.

A free five-page pack for 2nd grade: learn to compare three-digit numbers using hundreds, tens and ones, with a worked example, practice pages, word problems and an answer key.

Download the comparing three-digit numbers pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

58 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's practice comparing three-digit numbers, step by step.
0:04 Compare from the left: hundreds first, then tens, then ones.
0:09 998 > 577: 9 hundreds is more than 5 hundreds.
0:17 705 > 701. Same hundreds and tens, so compare the ones: 5 is more than 1.
0:26 Write the numbers from least to greatest: 566, 843, 954, 979.
0:36 Word problems. Sara picked 772 apples. Leo picked 839 apples. Who picked more? The answer is Leo, because 772 < 839.
0:51 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

Line the numbers up and compare from the left. Hundreds first, then tens, then ones. 405 > 398 because 4 hundreds is more than 3 hundreds, even though 98 looks big.

Teaching tip

Write both numbers in a place value chart, one under the other. Children circle the first place where the digits are different.

Try some

199 ? 199Tap to check199 = 199
501 ? 542Tap to check501 < 542
856 ? 854Tap to check856 > 854
767 ? 784Tap to check767 < 784
545 ? 554Tap to check545 < 554
998 ? 577Tap to check998 > 577
669 ? 644Tap to check669 > 644
656 ? 839Tap to check656 < 839

Word problems

Sara picked 772 apples. Leo picked 839 apples. Who picked more?Show answer

Leo (772 < 839)

The red box holds 247 crayons and the blue box holds 144. Which box has fewer crayons?Show answer

the blue box (144 < 247)

Leo has 839 stickers. Write a number of stickers that is greater than Leo's.Show answer

any number greater than 839, for example 840

Sara counted 144 birds in the park. Leo counted 144 birds too. Write >, < or = to compare.Show answer

144 = 144

What the worksheets look like

Comparing three-digit numbers worksheet: learn the signs, then a first practice — Page 1: learn the signs, then a first practice

Comparing three-digit numbers worksheet: compare the numbers — Page 2: compare the numbers

Greater than and less than chart

The three signs with pictures and examples, to keep on the wall or the desk.

Template(1 page, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Common questions

How do you teach comparing three-digit numbers?

Line the numbers up and compare from the left. Hundreds first, then tens, then ones. 405 > 398 because 4 hundreds is more than 3 hundreds, even though 98 looks big. Write both numbers in a place value chart, one under the other. Children circle the first place where the digits are different.

What grade learns comparing three-digit numbers?

Usually 2nd grade. In the Common Core it is part of 2.NBT.A.4.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip.