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Comparing Numbers Using a Number Line | Class 1–2 Maths | CBSE & UP Board | GPN

Class 1 Class 2 CBSE UP Board

📘 What's inside:

Concept 1 — Position on a Number Line Shows Value

We know that on a number line, numbers are placed from left to right in order. Let us observe something very important about this:

▶ The Position Rule
  • A number further to the right is always greater.
  • A number further to the left is always smaller.
  • Two numbers at the same position are always equal.
  • This rule works for every number — small or large.
3 is to the left of 8 — so 3 is smaller. 8 is to the right of 3 — so 8 is greater.
▶ Solved Example 1
Look at the number line. Which is greater — 5 or 12? How does the number line show this?
  1. 1Mark 5 (gold) and 12 (cyan) on the number line.
  2. 25 is to the left. 12 is to the right.
  3. 3Further right = greater. So 12 > 5.
12 is greater than 5.  On the number line, 12 sits to the right of 5.
▶ Solved Example 2
Priya says “9 is greater than 15 because 9 comes first when we count.” Is she correct? Use a number line to explain.
  1. 1Priya is wrong. Saying a number “first” means it appears earlier — not that it is greater.
  2. 2On the number line, 9 is to the left of 15. Left = smaller.
  3. 3So 9 < 15. In other words, 15 is greater than 9.
Priya is incorrect. 15 > 9. On the number line, 15 is to the right of 9.

✍ Practice — Concept 1

Q1 On a number line, which number is greater — the one on the left or the one on the right? ▼
Answer
The number on the right is always greater.
Numbers increase as we move right on a number line.
The number further right always has a greater value.
Q2 Is 4 greater than 11, or is 11 greater than 4? How do you know from the number line? ▼
Answer
4 is to the left of 11 on the number line.
Left = smaller. Right = greater.
11 is greater than 4.  (11 > 4)
Q3 True or False: On a number line, 7 is to the right of 13, so 7 is greater than 13. ▼
Answer
False.
7 is to the left of 13, not the right.
13 is greater than 7.  (13 > 7)
» Get hands-on with writing numbers using place value blocks and make learning visual with the free worksheet. Then build number sense with even and odd numbers and practice sorting them using the accompanying worksheet.

Concept 2 — Using >, < and = with a Number Line

We use three special symbols to compare two numbers. A number line proves each comparison visually.

> Greater Than Left number is to the right on the number line
< Less Than Left number is to the left on the number line
= Equal To Both numbers at the same position
⚠ Trick to Remember > and <

Think of the symbol as a hungry mouth. The open side always faces the bigger number. So 8 > 3 means the mouth opens toward 8.

▶ Solved Example 3
Use a number line to compare 6 and 14. Write the correct symbol.
  1. 1Mark 6 and 14 on the number line.
  2. 26 is to the left of 14. Left = smaller.
  3. 3So 6 is less than 14. We write: 6 < 14.
6 < 14  (or)  14 > 6
▶ Solved Example 4
Fill in >, < or =:
(a) 10 ___ 7    (b) 3 ___ 3    (c) 18 ___ 11
  1. a10 is to the right of 7. So 10 is greater. 10 > 7.
  2. bBoth 3s are at the same position. So they are equal. 3 = 3.
  3. c18 is to the right of 11. So 18 is greater. 18 > 11.
(a) 10 > 7    (b) 3 = 3    (c) 18 > 11

✍ Practice — Concept 2

Q4 Fill in >, < or =:  (a) 8 ___ 13    (b) 17 ___ 9    (c) 11 ___ 11 ▼
Answer
(a) 8 is left of 13 → 8 < 13
(b) 17 is right of 9 → 17 > 9
(c) Same position → 11 = 11
Q5 Raju has 14 marbles and Sonu has 9. Who has more? Show on a number line. ▼
Answer
14 is to the right of 9 → 14 > 9.
Raju has more marbles.  (14 > 9)
Q6 A student wrote 12 > 15. Is this correct? Correct the mistake using a number line. ▼
Answer
No, 12 > 15 is incorrect.
12 is to the left of 15 on the number line. Left = smaller.
Correct statement: 12 < 15.  (or: 15 > 12)
Q7 Write any two numbers where the first is greater than the second. Show them on a number line. ▼
Answer
Example: 16 and 7.
16 is to the right of 7. Right = greater. So 16 > 7.
(Any pair where the first number is further right is correct.)

Concept 3 — Ordering Numbers using a Number Line

When we have more than two numbers, we can arrange them in order using a number line.

1, 2, 3 … Ascending Order Smallest to largest
Read left to right
… 3, 2, 1 Descending Order Largest to smallest
Read right to left
▶ Steps to Order Numbers
  • Mark all the given numbers on the number line.
  • For ascending order — read the dots from left to right.
  • For descending order — read the dots from right to left.
▶ Solved Example 5
Arrange in ascending order:  14, 5, 9, 2, 11
  1. 1Mark all five numbers: 2, 5, 9, 11, 14 on the number line.
  2. 2Read dots from left to right for ascending order.
  3. 3Left to right: 2 → 5 → 9 → 11 → 14.
2→ 5→ 9→ 11→ 14 Ascending Order (Smallest to Largest)
Ascending order: 2, 5, 9, 11, 14
▶ Solved Example 6
Arrange in descending order:  3, 17, 8, 13, 6
  1. 1Mark all five numbers: 3, 6, 8, 13, 17.
  2. 2Read dots from right to left for descending order.
  3. 3Right to left: 17 → 13 → 8 → 6 → 3.
17 → 13 → 8 → 6 → 3 Descending Order (Largest to Smallest)
Descending order: 17, 13, 8, 6, 3

✍ Practice — Concept 3

Q8 Arrange in ascending order: 15, 4, 19, 7, 10 ▼
Answer
Mark on number line. Read left to right:
4, 7, 10, 15, 19
Q9 Arrange in descending order: 6, 18, 11, 2, 14 ▼
Answer
Mark on number line. Read right to left:
18, 14, 11, 6, 2
Q10 Five students scored: 12, 7, 17, 3, 9. Who scored highest? Who scored lowest? Write all scores in descending order. ▼
Answer
17 is furthest right → Highest = 17
3 is furthest left → Lowest = 3
Descending order: 17, 12, 9, 7, 3

Concept 4 — Comparing Larger Numbers (up to 100)

The same rules apply for larger numbers. On an extended number line up to 100, the number further to the right is always greater.

▶ Quick Method for Two-Digit Numbers
  • First compare the tens digit. The larger tens digit = greater number.
  • If tens digits are the same, compare the ones digit.
  • Always verify on a number line — the larger number is always further right.
▶ Solved Example 7
Compare 45 and 72 using a number line. Write the correct symbol.
  1. 1Mark 45 and 72 on a 0–100 number line.
  2. 272 is to the right of 45. Right = greater.
  3. 3Tens digit of 72 = 7. Tens digit of 45 = 4. 7 > 4 confirms 72 > 45.
45 < 72  (or)  72 > 45
▶ Solved Example 8
Arrange in ascending order: 63, 27, 85, 41, 56
  1. 1Mark all five numbers on a 0–100 number line.
  2. 2Read dots from left to right.
  3. 3Left to right: 27 → 41 → 56 → 63 → 85.
27→ 41→ 56→ 63→ 85 Ascending Order
Ascending order: 27, 41, 56, 63, 85

✍ Practice — Concept 4

Q11 Fill in >, < or =:  (a) 38 ___ 83    (b) 55 ___ 55    (c) 91 ___ 79 ▼
Answer
(a) 38 is left of 83 → 38 < 83
(b) Same position → 55 = 55
(c) 91 is right of 79 → 91 > 79
Q12 Arrange in descending order: 74, 31, 88, 50, 62 ▼
Answer
Read right to left:
88, 74, 62, 50, 31
Q13 A shopkeeper has boxes with item counts: 48, 76, 23, 91, 35. Arrange ascending. Which box has most? Which has fewest? ▼
Answer
Ascending order: 23, 35, 48, 76, 91
Most items: 91 (furthest right)
Fewest items: 23 (furthest left)
★ Key Points to Remember
  • On a number line, the number to the right is always greater.
  • The number to the left is always smaller.
  • > means greater than — open side faces the bigger number.
  • < means less than — pointed side faces the smaller number.
  • Ascending = read number line left to right (smallest first).
  • Descending = read number line right to left (largest first).

Exam Style — Full Topic

5 Questions on Comparing Numbers using a Number Line

Q1 Fill in >, < or =:  (a) 7 ___ 13    (b) 19 ___ 19    (c) 16 ___ 4    (d) 58 ___ 85 ▼
Answer
(a) 7 left of 13 → 7 < 13
(b) Same position → 19 = 19
(c) 16 right of 4 → 16 > 4
(d) 58 left of 85 → 58 < 85
Q2 Arrange in ascending order: 9, 3, 17, 6, 12 ▼
Answer
Read left to right: 3, 6, 9, 12, 17
Q3 Arrange in descending order: 42, 78, 15, 60, 33 ▼
Answer
Read right to left: 78, 60, 42, 33, 15
Q4 Meena has 46 stamps. Riya has 64. Who has more? Write the comparison using > or < and show on a number line. ▼
Answer
64 is to the right of 46. Right = greater. So 64 > 46.
Riya has more stamps.  (64 > 46)
Q5 Five teams scored: 55, 72, 38, 90, 61. Write in descending order. Which team won? Which came last? ▼
Answer
Read right to left: 90, 72, 61, 55, 38
Winner (highest): 90
Last place (lowest): 38
📄 Free Worksheet

Practise comparing numbers, filling > < = symbols and arranging numbers in ascending and descending order with our free printable worksheet. No login required.

► Open Free Worksheet
« Numbers on Number Line ⌂ Index Missing Numbers on Number Line »
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