You will learn
- Compare two two-digit numbers.
- Compare the tens digits first.
- Compare the ones digits when the tens are equal.
- Use greater than, less than and equal to.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Compare the tens digits first.
- The number with more tens is greater.
- If the tens are the same, compare the ones.
- Say: greater than, less than, equal to.
Words to know
Look at two numbers to see which is bigger or smaller.
Bigger. 43 is greater than 34.
Smaller. 34 is less than 43.
The same.
1. Discover: who has more?
Ama has 3 bundles of ten and 8 singles. Kofi has 4 bundles of ten and 2 singles. Who has more?
2. Understand: comparing two-digit numbers
To compare two-digit numbers, look at the tens first. The number with more tens is greater. 43 has 4 tens and 34 has 3 tens, so 43 is greater than 34.
If the tens are the same, compare the ones. 52 and 57 both have 5 tens. 7 ones are more than 2 ones, so 57 is greater than 52.
Idea 1: Compare the tens first
Compare 54 and 38. 54 has 5 tens. 38 has 3 tens. 5 tens is more than 3 tens, so 54 is greater than 38.
Why the tens? A ten is worth more than all the ones that fit beside it.
Idea 2: If the tens are equal, compare the ones
Compare 71 and 76. Both have 7 tens. Now compare the ones: 6 is more than 1. So 76 is greater than 71.
Idea 3: Use the words and signs
We write 73 > 37, which says 73 is greater than 37. We write 37 < 73, which says 37 is less than 73. We write 45 = 45.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): 43 and 34
Which is greater, 43 or 34?
- Compare the tens: 4 and 3.
- 4 tens is more than 3 tens.
Answer: 43 is greater than 34.
Example 2 (We do it together): 71 and 76
Compare 71 and 76.
- Tens are the same: 7 and 7.
- Compare the ones: 1 and 6.
Answer: 76 is greater. 71 is less.
Example 3 (You try): 60 and 59
Which is greater, 60 or 59?
Show the steps and answer
- Compare the tens: 6 and 5.
- 6 tens is more than 5 tens.
Answer: 60 is greater than 59.
Did you know?
The tens digit matters most. That is why 60 is bigger than 59, even though 9 is bigger than 0.
Why this matters
We compare prices, scores, heights and ages. Looking at the tens first is a quick way.
4. Explore: compare with bundles
You need 60 counters or draw lines and dots.
- Make 38 and 41 with tens and ones.
- Which has more tens?
- Make 62 and 67. Which has more ones?
- Say which number is greater each time.
Think about it: what did you notice?
41 is greater than 38 (4 tens > 3 tens). 67 is greater than 62 (same tens, 7 > 2 ones).
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- ___ is greater than ___ because ___ tens is more than ___ tens.
- The tens are the same, so I compare the ones.
- ___ is less than ___.
- ___ is equal to ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. Greater: 45 or 54?
54 (5 tens > 4 tens).
Question 2. Less: 71 or 76?
71 (same tens, 1 < 6 ones).
Question 3. 27 and 27?
Equal.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- Greater: 38 or 41?
- Less: 56 or 52?
- Which is greater, 60 or 59?
- Write a number greater than 45.
- Explain how you know 73 > 37.
Level 2: Grow
- Which is greater, 45 or 54?
- Which is less, 82 or 78?
- Fill the gap with greater than, less than or equal to: 36 is ___ 36.
Level 3: Stretch
- Put in order from smallest: 52, 25, 55.
- Write a number between 47 and 51.
- Mia says 29 is greater than 31 because 9 is greater than 1. What is her mistake?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: everyday mathematics
The red bag has 36 beads and the blue bag has 63 beads. Which bag has more?
Show a sample answer
The blue bag, because 63 > 36 (6 tens > 3 tens).
Another one. Ben scored 68 in a game. Ana scored 86. Who scored more? How do you know?
Show a sample answer
Ana. 86 has 8 tens and 68 has 6 tens, so 86 is greater.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Always compare the tens first.
Fix: Always compare the tens digits first.
Fix: In 29 and 31, the tens decide. 31 is greater.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can compare two two-digit numbers.
- I can compare the tens digits first.
- I can compare the ones digits when the tens are equal.
- I can use greater than, less than and equal to.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Compare tens first.
- If tens are equal, compare ones.
- Use greater than, less than and equal to.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Ordering numbers. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Which is greater, 38 or 41? [1 mark]
- Write greater than, less than or equal to: 56 ___ 52. [1 mark]
- Put in order from smallest: 63, 36, 66. [2 marks]
- Explain how you know that 73 is greater than 37. [2 marks]
- Write a number that is greater than 45 and less than 48. [1 mark]
Total: 7 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- 41 [1]
- greater than [1]
- 36, 63, 66 [2]. Give 1 mark if one number is out of place.
- Compare the tens [1]; 7 tens is more than 3 tens [1]
- 46 or 47 [1]
Score guide: 6 to 7 = secure. 5 to 5 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 5 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- Greater: 45 or 54?
- Less: 62 or 26?
- Greater: 80 or 79?
- Are 33 and 33 equal? (yes/no)
- Write a number less than 50.
- Which is greater, 29 or 92?
- Which is less, 45 or 40?
- 64 is ___ 64 (equal to, greater than or less than)
- Write a number between 30 and 33.
- Why do we compare the tens first?
Homework
Write six two-digit numbers on paper pieces. Pick two and say which is greater and how you know. Do this five times.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Greater: 45 or 54? | 54 | 2 |
| Less: 62 or 26? | 26 | 2 |
| Greater: 80 or 79? | 80 | 2 |
| Are 33 and 33 equal? (yes/no) | yes | 2 |
| Write a number less than 50. | Any number below 50 | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
Practice answers: Worksheet: 1 54; 2 26; 3 80; 4 yes; 5 Any number below 50.
Quiz answers: 1 A, 2 B, 3 A, 4 A, 5 B, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 C, Challenge 2 C.
Extra worksheet answers (items 6 onward): 6 92; 7 40; 8 equal to; 9 31 or 32; 10 The tens are worth more than the ones.
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 41; 2 52; 3 60; 4 any number greater than 45, such as 46; 5 73 has 7 tens and 37 has 3 tens, so 73 is greater. Level 2: 1 54; 2 78; 3 equal to. Level 3: 1 25, 52, 55; 2 48, 49 or 50; 3 Compare tens first. 31 has 3 tens and 29 has 2 tens. So 31 is greater..
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Compare two two-digit numbers | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Compare the tens digits first | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Compare the ones digits when the tens are equal | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Use greater than, less than and equal to | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Comparing the ones first, thinking 29 > 31 because 9 > 1. Always compare the tens first.
- Explain another way: use real objects first, then pictures.
- Show a simpler example: Compare numbers with different tens first (e.g. 21 and 54), then same tens.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child compares two-digit numbers by looking at the tens first. You do not need to be good at mathematics to help.
- Compare ages, scores or prices of two things.
- Ask: which has more tens? Which is greater?
- Make two numbers with sticks and compare them.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: compare two two-digit numbers; compare the tens digits first; compare the ones digits when the tens are equal; use greater than, less than and equal to.
Prerequisite knowledge. Lessons 1 to 4.
Materials. Counters (stones, seeds or bottle tops), paper, pencils, board or chalkboard. Low-resource options: use stones, seeds, sticks, bottle tops or drawings in the sand or on the board instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Gather the counters and draw the example pictures on the board before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Start with the Discover situation and let learners suggest ideas before you teach.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the Understand section with real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words.
Guided activity (10 min). You need 60 counters or draw lines and dots. Learners follow the Explore steps in pairs.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners complete the independent practice and the worksheet.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Which digit do we compare first? What if the tens are equal? How do you know 60 is greater than 59?
Teacher explanation notes. Use the concrete, pictorial, abstract order: real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words. Return to real objects whenever a learner needs support.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and work with a partner; say each step aloud together. Extension. Ask learners to make up their own example and explain it to a partner.
Formative assessment. Listen to learner explanations, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Comparing the ones first, thinking 29 > 31 because 9 > 1. Always compare the tens first.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz and worksheet on this page. The 7-mark exam practice scheme, the 10-mark scheme and all answers are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer and the marking scheme before publication.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Compare numbers with different tens first (e.g. 21 and 54), then same tens. Enrichment. Invite learners to find or create three more examples at home or in the classroom and explain them. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which concepts learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points named in the Courseversity standard: Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (official site): Grade 1 » Number & Operations in Base Ten. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core 1.NBT.B.3 (comparing two-digit numbers); Cambridge Primary Mathematics Stage 1. These sources informed the lesson.