In this topic you will learn to arrange numerals in order from smallest to largest. Sorting numbered papers such as order forms, arranging items by the date and comparing prices are examples of the ways you use this skill. First look at pairs of numerals. Look at two numerals and tell which one is larger. How do you do this?

To compare numerals, look at the place with the largest value.

Note: Numerals with one digit are always less than numerals with two digits. Numerals with two digits are always less than numerals with three digits, and so on.

• 9 is less than 15
• 87 is less than 107
• 999 is less than 1 001

Now use the same ideas to arrange more than two numerals in order.

For example, to arrange 6, 616, 1, 66, 666, 61, and 16 in order from smallest to largest, use the following method:

1. First, sort the numerals with the same number of digits into groups.
   • 6, 1
   • 66, 16, 61
   • and 616, 666
2. The group of one digit numerals contains 6 and 1. As 1 is smaller than 6, the list starts with 1, then 6.
3. The group of two-digit numerals contains 66, 61, and 16. Use your skills in ordering numerals to see that 16 is smallest, then 61, and 66 is the largest of this group. The list now reads, 1, 6, 16, 61, 66.
4. Finally, look at the three-digit numerals, 616 and 666. As 616 is smaller than 666, it will come first. The list now reads:
   • 1, 6, 16, 61, 66, 616, 666.

Greater Than, Less Than, Equal

The sign < means is less than (smaller than).

The sign > means is greater than (bigger than).

The greater than and less than signs always point to the smaller number (that is, the small part of the sign is close to the small number.)

5  < 12           5 is less than 12

6  > 3             6 is greater than 3

The sign = means equals and is used when two amounts are the same.

The sign    means not equal to and is used when two amounts are not the same.

Topic C: Self-Test

Mark /12          Aim 10/12

1. Box the larger number of each pair. (6 marks)
   1. 9784; 7892
   2. 56663; 56566
   3. 13204; 14420
   4. 721011; 721101
   5. 461300; 416003
   6. 2879921; 2987721
2. Arrange these numerals in order from smallest to largest. (2 marks)
   1. 75; 754; 475; 47; 5747; 5774; 77575
   2. 18; 23070; 429; 7824; 37; 994; 1120
3. Write >, <. or = in each blank to make a true statement. (4 marks)
   1. 3678         3768
   2. 14002         14000
   3. 38463         3846
   4. 10010         10010

Answers to Topic C: Self-Test

1. 1. 9784
   2. 56663
   3. 14420
   4. 721101
   5. 461300
   6. 2987721
2. 1. 47, 75, 475, 754, 5747, 5774, 77575
   2. 18, 37, 429, 994, 1120, 7824, 23070
3. 1. <
   2. >
   3. >
   4. =