SME
Grade 2 Math · Problem type
Compare three-digit numbers
Use this for “Put a < or > in the blank: 486 ___ 468.”
Picture
347 < 374
Flats are hundreds, rods are tens, small cubes are ones.
How far apart: 27
This is an example. Type the numbers from your problem to start.
First number
Second number
How far apart
answer
Number sentences
sign < between 347 and 374
347 and 374 are 27 apart
Good to know
•
Compare the hundreds first. If they are the same, compare the tens, then the ones.
•
> means “is greater than”, < means “is less than”. The open side faces the greater number.
Step-by-step
WE KNOW
First number: 347
Second number: 374
FIND
sign, how far apart
Step 1 · Find sign
sign ? between 347 and 374
Compare the hundreds first. If they are the same, compare the tens, then the ones.
Hundreds: 3 = 3. Tens: 4 < 7, so 347 < 374
c: <
Step 2 · Find how far apart
347 and 374 are ? apart
Count up from the smaller number to the greater one.
374 − 347
347 + 3 = 350
350 + 20 = 370
370 + 4 = 374
Jumps: 3 + 20 + 4 = 27
How far apart: 27
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
347 < 374 ✓
347 < 374, 27 apart ✓
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Related lessons
Understand place value to 1,000
Main lesson
Expanded form
Use this for “Which of these show 426?” like 400 + 20 + 6.
Regroup tens and hundreds
Use this for “3 hundreds, 14 tens and 5 ones is ___.”
Numbers on a number line
Use this for “Where is 760 on a line from 700 to 800?” or “What number is at the point?”