1st Grade Comparing Numbers Worksheet (Greater Than, Less Than)
Compare two-digit numbers with >, <, or =, looking at the tens first.
- Homework
- Morning Work
- Centers
- Review
- Intervention
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No sign-up required. Clean, low-ink US Letter format.
- Grade
- 1st Grade
- Subject
- Math
- Skill
- Comparing Numbers
- Topic
- comparing two-digit numbers
- Difficulty
- Standard
- Time
- 12 minutes
- Pages
- 2 (incl. answer key)
- Format
- Printable PDF (US Letter)
- Answer key
- Included
- Best for
- homework, morning work, centers, review, intervention
Worksheet details
What This Worksheet Practices
Students will compare two-digit numbers using the symbols >, <, and =.
- Comparing the tens, then the ones
- Using the symbols >, <, =
- Reading the symbol as 'greater than' or 'less than'
Worksheet Preview
Compare the tens first
Comparing two-digit numbers is a place-value skill: look at the tens first, and only check the ones if the tens are equal. So 34 < 43 because 3 tens is less than 4 tens — even though the ones digit (4) is bigger in 34. Getting students to start with the tens prevents the most common comparison error.
How to use it
Have students say the tens out loud for each number, then decide. The classic “the open mouth of the symbol points to the bigger number” image helps them aim > and < correctly. Builds on tens and ones.
👩🏫 Teacher note
Compare the tens digit first; only look at the ones if the tens are equal. The 'alligator mouth opens toward the bigger number' image helps students aim the symbol.
🏠 Parent note
Look at the tens first. 34 vs 43 - 3 tens is less than 4 tens, so 34 is less than 43.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Comparing ones before tens
- Pointing the symbol the wrong way
Answer Key
Each answer shows the correct symbol (>, <, or =).
⬇ Download Answer Key (PDF)Related Worksheets
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