Comparing Place Value Worksheets for Grade 1 Students

Master comparing numbers up to 100 using place value: tens and ones, comparison symbols, and step-by-step methods.

Complete Summary: Comparing Place Value
Core Concepts Explained
Place Value
In 2-digit numbers, the left digit shows tens and right digit shows ones
Tens Place
Represents groups of 10 (3 in 34 means 3 tens = 30)
Ones Place
Represents individual units (4 in 34 means 4 ones = 4)
Comparison Symbols
<, >, = symbols to show relationships between numbers
Key Definitions:

Place Value: The value of a digit based on its position in a number (tens, ones)

Comparison: Determining which number is greater, lesser, or equal using symbols

Tens Place: The leftmost digit in a 2-digit number (represents groups of 10)

Ones Place: The rightmost digit in a 2-digit number (represents individual units)

Greater Than (>): Symbol showing the first number is larger

Less Than (<): Symbol showing the first number is smaller

Equal (=): Symbol showing both numbers have the same value

Core Rules and Laws:

• Rule 1: Always compare tens first when comparing 2-digit numbers

• Rule 2: If tens are equal, compare the ones digits

• Rule 3: More tens always means a greater number

• Rule 4: When tens are the same, more ones determine the greater number

• Rule 5: Equal tens and equal ones mean equal numbers

• Law: Place value priority: tens > ones (tens have higher priority)

Step-by-Step Method:
  1. Step 1: Identify tens and ones in each number
  2. Step 2: Compare tens digits (left to right)
  3. Step 3: If tens are equal, compare ones digits
  4. Step 4: Select appropriate comparison symbol
  5. Step 5: Verify by checking actual values
Tip 1: Remember: 1 ten = 10 ones, so tens matter more!
Tip 2: The comparison symbol opens toward the larger number.
Tip 3: Draw base-10 blocks to visualize numbers.
Tip 4: Say numbers out loud: "thirty-four" vs "twenty-seven".
Common Pitfalls: Comparing ones first, forgetting tens priority, mixing up symbols.
Memory Aids: "Tens come first!", "More tens win!", "Symbol mouth eats bigger number".
Key Takeaways:

• Always start comparing from the left (tens place)

• Tens have higher priority than ones in comparison

• Use visual models like base-10 blocks for understanding

• Practice regularly to build number sense

• Remember: 25 = 20 + 5 (2 tens + 5 ones)

Exercises 1 to 3 Solutions
1 Basic comparison
Exercise 1
Compare 47 and 39. Which number is greater?
Use the symbols >, <, or =
Step 1: Identify place values
4
7
?
3
9

47 = 4 tens + 7 ones

39 = 3 tens + 9 ones

Step 2: Compare tens first

47 has 4 tens, 39 has 3 tens

Since 4 > 3, then 47 > 39

Step 3: Visual representation
47 =
4 tens + 7 ones
39 =
3 tens + 9 ones
Step 4: Write the answer

47 > 39

47 > 39
Explanation:

47 is greater than 39 because 4 tens (40) is greater than 3 tens (30), even though 47 has fewer ones than 39.

2 Equal numbers
Exercise 2
Compare 52 and 52. Are they equal?
Use the symbols >, <, or =
Step 1: Identify place values
5
2
?
5
2

52 = 5 tens + 2 ones

52 = 5 tens + 2 ones

Step 2: Compare tens

Both numbers have 5 tens

5 = 5 (tens are equal)

Step 3: Compare ones

Both numbers have 2 ones

2 = 2 (ones are equal)

Step 4: Write the answer

Since both tens and ones are equal, 52 = 52

52 = 52
Explanation:

52 equals 52 because both numbers have identical tens and ones digits.

3 Same tens, different ones
Exercise 3
Compare 64 and 67. Which number is smaller?
Use the symbols >, <, or =
Step 1: Identify place values
6
4
?
6
7

64 = 6 tens + 4 ones

67 = 6 tens + 7 ones

Step 2: Compare tens

Both numbers have 6 tens

6 = 6 (tens are equal)

Step 3: Compare ones

64 has 4 ones, 67 has 7 ones

Since 4 < 7, then 64 < 67

Step 4: Write the answer

64 < 67

64 < 67
Explanation:

64 is less than 67 because they have the same tens (6), but 4 ones is less than 7 ones.

Exercises 4 to 5 Solutions
4 Advanced comparison
Exercise 4
Compare 81 and 79. Which number is greater?
Use the symbols >, <, or =
Step 1: Identify place values
8
1
?
7
9

81 = 8 tens + 1 one

79 = 7 tens + 9 ones

Step 2: Compare tens first

81 has 8 tens, 79 has 7 tens

Since 8 > 7, then 81 > 79

Step 3: Note about ones

Even though 81 has only 1 one and 79 has 9 ones, the tens determine the comparison

8 tens = 80, while 7 tens = 70

Step 4: Write the answer

81 > 79

81 > 79
Explanation:

81 is greater than 79 because 8 tens (80) is greater than 7 tens (70), regardless of the ones digits.

5 Ordering numbers
Exercise 5
Arrange these numbers from least to greatest: 45, 38, 45, 52, 38
Use place value to order them correctly
Step 1: Identify place values for each number

45 = 4 tens + 5 ones

38 = 3 tens + 8 ones

45 = 4 tens + 5 ones

52 = 5 tens + 2 ones

38 = 3 tens + 8 ones

Step 2: Group by tens

Numbers with 3 tens: 38, 38

Numbers with 4 tens: 45, 45

Numbers with 5 tens: 52

Step 3: Order within each group

Within 3 tens group: 38 = 38

Within 4 tens group: 45 = 45

Within 5 tens group: just 52

Step 4: Combine in ascending order

Start with lowest tens (3), then 4, then 5

Final order: 38, 38, 45, 45, 52

38, 38, 45, 45, 52
Explanation:

From least to greatest: 38, 38, 45, 45, 52. We ordered by tens first (3, 4, 5), then considered the repeated numbers.

Questions & Answers

Question: I don't understand why 25 is bigger than 31 sometimes. Can you explain?

Answer: Actually, 25 is NOT bigger than 31! Let me explain why 31 is always greater than 25:

  • 31 = 3 tens + 1 one = 30 + 1 = 31
  • 25 = 2 tens + 5 ones = 20 + 5 = 25
  • Compare tens first: 3 tens > 2 tens, so 31 > 25
  • Visual: 31 has 3 groups of 10 (30) plus 1 more, while 25 has only 2 groups of 10 (20) plus 5 more

The key rule: Always compare tens first! Since 3 > 2, then 31 > 25. The ones digits (1 vs 5) don't matter here because the tens already determine the answer.

Remember: 1 ten = 10 ones, so tens have much more value than ones!

Question: My child struggles with the comparison symbols. How can I make this easier?

Answer: Here are effective strategies to help with comparison symbols:

  • Alligator Method: Imagine the symbol is an alligator's mouth that always wants to eat the bigger number: 5 > 3 (mouth opens to 5) and 2 < 8 (mouth opens to 8)
  • L Method: The less than symbol < looks like the letter L for "Less than"
  • Point Method: The pointy end always points to the smaller number: 4 < 7 (pointy end points to 4)
  • Hands Method: Make > with your right hand and < with your left hand

Practice with real objects: Give your child 5 blocks and 3 blocks, ask which pile is bigger, then introduce the symbol 5 > 3.

Use everyday comparisons: "I have 3 cookies, you have 5 cookies. Who has more? 5 > 3!"

Question: Why do we need to learn place value? It seems too hard.

Answer: Place value is super important! Here's why:

  • Real-world connections: Money (tens of dollars, ones of dollars), ages, house numbers
  • Number sense: Helps you understand what numbers really mean (54 = 50 + 4)
  • Easier math: Makes adding and subtracting much simpler
  • Future success: Needed for bigger numbers and more complex math

Think of place value like organizing your room - everything has a place, so it's easier to find what you need!

Practice tip: Count by tens first (10, 20, 30...) then add the ones. This builds good habits!

It might seem hard now, but with practice, place value becomes natural and very helpful!