Compare and Order Two-Digit Numbers | 1st Grade Math

Grade 1 Math  ›  Numbers & Place Value  ›  Lesson 4

Grade 1 Math - Numbers and Place Value

Compare and Order Two-Digit Numbers

Learn how to compare two-digit numbers by looking at tens first and ones second, use greater than, less than, and equal to symbols correctly, and order numbers from least to greatest or greatest to least.

This first grade place value lesson helps students compare number values, use comparison symbols, and order two-digit numbers with clear models and practice.

Compare two-digit numbers Tens and ones Greater than and less than Order numbers Grade 1 place value

🎯 What You Will Learn

Compare tens first
If the tens are different, the number with more tens is greater.

Compare ones second
If the tens are the same, compare the ones to decide which number is greater.

Use comparison symbols
Record comparisons with <, >, and =.

Order numbers
Arrange several numbers from least to greatest or from greatest to least.

For parents & teachers — standards alignment: CCSS 1.NBT.B.3 asks students to compare two two-digit numbers using the meanings of the tens and ones digits and record comparisons with >, =, and <. Ordering several numbers is included here as a useful extension. Texas Grade 1 also includes comparing and ordering whole numbers up to 120 and using comparison symbols for numbers to 100.

🧠 Key Vocabulary

compare — decide whether one number is greater than, less than, or equal to another number.

greater than — having a larger value.

less than — having a smaller value.

equal to — having the same value.

least — the smallest value in a group.

greatest — the largest value in a group.

🔍 Compare Tens Before Ones

Place value gives us a fast way to compare two-digit numbers. First compare the tens. If one number has more tens, it is greater. Only when the tens are the same do we need to compare the ones.

1️⃣ Compare the tens.

2️⃣ If the tens match, compare the ones.

3️⃣ Choose <, >, or =.

Number

Tens

Ones

42

4

2

38

3

8

42 > 38

Why this works: 42 has 4 tens while 38 has only 3 tens. If one two-digit number has more tens, it is greater—even if the other number has more ones.

⚖️ Greater Than, Less Than, and Equal To

>greater than

<less than

=equal to

The open side of < or > faces the greater number, while the point faces the smaller number. Always say the comparison aloud to check that it makes sense.

Do not rely only on the symbol shape. First decide which number is greater using place value. Then choose the symbol that records what you already know.

↔️ Ordering Numbers

To order several two-digit numbers, compare their tens first. Put smaller tens earlier when ordering from least to greatest. When two numbers have the same tens, use the ones to decide their order.

→ 24 28 33

24 < 28 < 33

🌟 25 Worked Examples

✏️ Try each comparison yourself first. Then tap “Show solution” to check your reasoning.

1Compare the tens first

Compare 32 and 45.

Number

Tens

Ones

32

3

2

45

4

5

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

32 has 3 tens and 45 has 4 tens. Four tens are greater than three tens. Answer: 32 < 45.

2Same tens? Compare the ones

Compare 67 and 62.

Number

Tens

Ones

67

6

7

62

6

2

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

Both numbers have 6 tens, so compare the ones. 7 ones are greater than 2 ones. Answer: 67 > 62.

3Equal numbers

Compare 54 and 54.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

The two numbers are the same. Answer: 54 = 54.

4Different tens decide

Compare 28 and 31.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

28 has 2 tens and 31 has 3 tens. Three tens are greater than two tens. Answer: 28 < 31.

5Same tens, larger ones

Compare 79 and 73.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

Both numbers have 7 tens. Compare 9 ones with 3 ones. 9 is greater than 3. Answer: 79 > 73.

6Zero ones still counts

Compare 40 and 46.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

Both numbers have 4 tens. 40 has 0 ones and 46 has 6 ones. Answer: 40 < 46.

7A whole ten can be greater

Compare 90 and 89.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

90 has 9 tens, while 89 has 8 tens. Because 9 tens are greater than 8 tens, 90 > 89.

8Same digits, different places

Compare 21 and 12.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

21 has 2 tens and 12 has 1 ten. Compare tens first: 2 tens are greater than 1 ten. Answer: 21 > 12.

9Compare base-ten models

One model shows 3 tens and 4 ones. Another shows 2 tens and 9 ones. Which number is greater?

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

The first model shows 34. The second shows 29. Compare the tens: 3 tens are greater than 2 tens. Answer: 34 > 29.

10Same tens in two models

Compare 58 and 53 using place value.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

Both numbers have 5 tens. Compare the ones: 8 ones are greater than 3 ones. Answer: 58 > 53.

11Choose the correct symbol

Complete: 43 □ 47.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

Both numbers have 4 tens. Since 3 ones are less than 7 ones, use <. Answer: 43 < 47.

12Use the equal sign

Complete: 76 □ 76.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

The numbers are exactly the same, so use the equal sign. Answer: 76 = 76.

13Explain the comparison

Why is 68 greater than 59?

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

68 has 6 tens and 59 has 5 tens. Six tens are greater than five tens, so the ones do not need to be compared. Answer: 68 > 59.

14Say the comparison in words

Read 35 < 42 in words.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

The symbol < means “is less than.” Answer: Thirty-five is less than forty-two.

15Order three numbers

Order 23, 31, and 18 from least to greatest.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

Compare the tens: 18 has 1 ten, 23 has 2 tens, and 31 has 3 tens. Answer: 18, 23, 31.

16Order by tens

Order 54, 49, and 61 from least to greatest.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

49 has 4 tens, 54 has 5 tens, and 61 has 6 tens. Answer: 49, 54, 61.

17Order numbers with close tens

Order 72, 67, and 70 from least to greatest.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

67 has 6 tens. Both 70 and 72 have 7 tens, so compare their ones: 0 < 2. Answer: 67, 70, 72.

18Find the greatest

Which is greatest: 36, 63, or 60?

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

36 has 3 tens. Both 63 and 60 have 6 tens; compare their ones. 3 ones are greater than 0 ones. Answer: 63.

19Find the least

Which is least: 45, 54, or 48?

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

45 and 48 both have 4 tens, while 54 has 5 tens. Between 45 and 48, 5 ones are less than 8 ones. Answer: 45.

20Use a number line

Which is greater, 38 or 42?

→ 38 42

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

Numbers farther to the right on a number line are greater. 42 is to the right of 38. Answer: 42 > 38.

21Order on a number line

Order 26, 29, and 24 from least to greatest.

→ 24 26 29

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

Read from left to right on the number line. Answer: 24, 26, 29.

22Give one greater number

Give one two-digit number greater than 47 but less than 50.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

The two-digit numbers between 47 and 50 are 48 and 49. One possible answer is 48.

23Choose a number in a range

Which number is greater than 52 and less than 58: 49, 56, or 61?

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

56 is greater than 52 and less than 58. Answer: 56.

24Spot the comparison mistake

A student writes 62 < 58. Is the comparison correct?

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

No. 62 has 6 tens and 58 has 5 tens, so 62 is greater. Correct comparison: 62 > 58.

25Challenge: order four numbers

Order 88, 81, 89, and 83 from least to greatest.

✨ Show solution 🙈 Hide solution

All four numbers have 8 tens, so compare the ones: 1, 3, 8, 9. Answer: 81, 83, 88, 89.

🎮 Independent Practice — 30 Problems

1. Write <, >, or =: 24 □ 31.
2. Write <, >, or =: 56 □ 52.
3. Write <, >, or =: 47 □ 47.
4. Write <, >, or =: 68 □ 71.
5. Write <, >, or =: 90 □ 89.
6. Write <, >, or =: 35 □ 38.
7. Write <, >, or =: 62 □ 26.
8. Write <, >, or =: 40 □ 40.
9. Write <, >, or =: 79 □ 75.
10. Write <, >, or =: 53 □ 59.
11. Which number is greater: 42 or 24?
12. Which number is less: 66 or 69?
13. Which number is greater: 81 or 18?
14. Which number is less: 50 or 45?
15. Which is greatest: 33, 39, or 36?
16. Which is least: 72, 27, or 70?
17. Order 18, 25, and 31 from least to greatest.
18. Order 46, 41, and 49 from least to greatest.
19. Order 60, 58, and 63 from least to greatest.
20. Order 77, 71, and 75 from greatest to least.
21. Order 92, 89, and 90 from least to greatest.
22. True or false: 34 < 43.
23. True or false: 67 > 76.
24. True or false: 55 = 55.
25. Fix the mistake: 48 > 52.
26. Complete with one possible number: 63 < □ < 66.
27. Complete with one possible number: 28 < □ < 31.
28. Which number is between 45 and 50: 42, 48, or 53?
29. A number has 7 tens and 2 ones. Is it greater than or less than 68?
30. Challenge: Order 64, 46, 66, and 60 from least to greatest.

🏆 Lesson Test — 15 Questions

1. Write <, >, or =: 27 □ 32.
2. Write <, >, or =: 64 □ 61.
3. Write <, >, or =: 58 □ 58.
4. Which number is greater: 73 or 37?
5. Which number is less: 49 or 54?
6. Both numbers have 6 tens. Which is greater: 62 or 68?
7. Which is greatest: 45, 54, or 51?
8. Which is least: 83, 38, or 80?
9. Order 22, 19, and 30 from least to greatest.
10. Order 74, 71, and 79 from greatest to least.
11. True or false: 90 > 89.
12. Fix the mistake: 57 < 53.
13. Which number is greater than 64 and less than 68: 62, 66, or 70?
14. A number has 5 tens and 9 ones. Compare it with 62 using <, >, or =.
15. Challenge: Order 81, 18, 80, and 88 from least to greatest.

🔐 Complete Answer Key

🔑 Show practice answer key 🙈 Hide practice answer key

Practice Answers

1. <

2. >

3. =

4. <

5. >

6. <

7. >

8. =

9. >

10. <

11. 42

12. 66

13. 81

14. 45

15. 39

16. 27

17. 18, 25, 31

18. 41, 46, 49

19. 58, 60, 63

20. 77, 75, 71

21. 89, 90, 92

22. True

23. False — 67 < 76.

24. True

25. 48 < 52.

26. 64 or 65

27. 29 or 30

28. 48

29. 72 is greater than 68.

30. 46, 60, 64, 66

🏅 Show test answer key 🙈 Hide test answer key

Test Answers

1. <

2. >

3. =

4. 73

5. 49

6. 68

7. 54

8. 38

9. 19, 22, 30

10. 79, 74, 71

11. True

12. 57 > 53.

13. 66

14. 59 < 62.

15. 18, 80, 81, 88

💡 Common Mistakes to Watch For

Comparing ones first
In 52 and 49, the 9 ones do not make 49 greater. Compare the tens first.

Reversing the symbol
Decide which number is greater before choosing < or >.

Forgetting equal numbers
When both numbers have the same value, use =.

Mixing up least and greatest
Least means smallest; greatest means largest.

For parents & teachers — Texas extension: TEKS 1.2(E) asks students to compare whole numbers up to 120 using place value and comparative language; 1.2(F) asks them to order whole numbers up to 120 using place value and open number lines; and 1.2(G) asks them to represent comparisons of two numbers to 100 with >, <, or =.

🖨️ Printable Companion

A free Compare and Order Two-Digit Numbers Practice Pack will be connected here as the MathLattice printable library grows. It will include symbol practice, place-value comparisons, number-line ordering, mixed review, and an answer key.

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