Skip to main content
🔍
View in English
हिंदी में देखें
🔍 Search GuidedPathNoida


this padding is for avoiding search bar cut

Comparing numbers using number line

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)

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
« Previous ⌂ Index Next »

« Back to Home « Free Resources « Maths Hub « Primary Maths

⇧
Labels:

Post Created by:
Guided Path Noida Team

YouTube Facebook Instagram X Pinterest

© 2025 Guided Path Noida | All Rights Reserved