Idea 8of 23Builds onA digit is worth its place
More digits means a greater number
Which is greater, 9 987 or 10 001?
Today you'll discover
- how to line numbers up by place
- why more digits wins
- what a big first digit can hide
Think first9 987 and 10 001, lined up by place
Which number is greater?
Decide first, then press Next. Line the numbers up by place before you compare.
A grid with columns for ten thousands to ones. 9 987 sits in the right four columns; 10 001 fills all five. Then notes say 4 digits and 5 digits, the ten thousands column is outlined as the place that decides, and a line reads 9 987 < 10 001. The last step compares 87 650 and 9 999.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
Line numbers up by place: a whole number with more digits is greater.
Easy to get wrongDo not compare first digits until the numbers are lined up by place. 9 987 starts with 9, but that 9 is only 9 thousands.
Key words
- greater
- more; further right on a number line
- less
- not as much; further left on a number line
Ready to use it?
- Say which of two big numbers is greater.