Comparing Numbers 3-DIgit Numbers

Comparing 3-digit numbers is essential as students develop number sense, which is their ability to understand and relate to the meaning of numbers. When students understand how to compare numbers, this leads they way for them to also be able to:

✔️Estimate

✔️Order numbers

✔️Problem solve

✔️Have increased mathematical fluency

Comparing numbers is a skill that students will keep with them throughout life, so let’s chat about a few ways to help them master it!

Comparing 3-Digit Numbers using place value

You’ll want to begin comparing 3-digit numbers by ensuring your students have a solid understanding of place value. Understanding how place value works will give students meaning to the relative positions of digits in a number. It helps students to understand that when you change the position of a number, you’re also changing it’s value.

Model breaking down the numbers that are being compared into hundreds, tens and ones. For example, if you’re comparing the numbers 245 and 254, highlight to students that 245 has 2 hundreds, 4 tens and 5 ones, and 254 has 2 hundreds as well, but 5 tens and 4 ones.

I love pulling out the base ten blocks for this exercise and having students build each number. Even having students draw base ten blocks to represent each number works well to help them visualize each numbers’ value.

Comparing 3-Digit Numbers Anchor Chart

I am a big fan of creating anchor charts that students can easily reference. Completing anchor charts with students allows them to become more actively engaged in the learning process and it helps them to retain the material. You can have students complete their own anchor charts to compare numbers along with you by having them fill in the blanks as you go.

Comparing 3-Digit Numbers ALligator method

When it comes to comparing numbers, you’ll find mixed opinions on using the alligator method. Personally, I have found this works well to help students understand the concept, but you most certainly can just stick with the comparison symbols if that works best for your students!

Comparing 3-Digit Numbers Games

Using games to teach comparing 3-digit numbers can be an effective and engaging way to hep students master this skill. Here are a few game ideas you can use:

Comparing Numbers Partner Game: Students will both draw a number card from the deck and then use the greater than and less than symbols to compare.

Roll the Dice to Compare: For this game each student will roll the dice three times. first for the hundreds place, then the tens place, and last the one’s place. Each time they roll, they’ll record the amount in their place value chart. Students will compare the value of both of their numbers. After ten tries, the one who has the most amount of greater numbers wins.

Comparing 3-Digit Numbers Worksheets 2nd grade

When teaching students to compare 3-digit numbers, it’s important to have a variety activities for students to practice. Provide an activity where they must compare the numbers, but then explain what made one number greater or less than the other. Activities like this one will help support a deeper understanding of the concept to students.

Have students answer true or false questions about comparing numbers and use base ten blocks rather than numbers written in standard form to compare. Both of these activities give students the opportunity to have a more solid understanding of comparing 3 digit numbers.

I hope you’ve found some useful tips and activities to use when you begin comparing 3-digit numbers with your students! Simply click on the images below to see any of the resources featured in this post.