IndianTechnoEra: Thinking About Numbers

Thinking About Numbers

Numbers tell us how many things there are. But numbers can also help us compare quantities, put things in order and notice relationships between numbers.

Thinking carefully about numbers helps us choose the correct answer when solving a problem.

Learning Objectives

• Think about numbers and their positions.
• Compare numbers.
• Put numbers in order.
• Notice simple relationships between numbers.

Numbers Have a Place

Numbers come in an order. When we count forward, the numbers increase by one each time.

4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8

Each number is one more than the number before it.

When we count backward, the numbers become smaller.

8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4

Comparing Numbers

We can compare two numbers to find which one is greater, which one is smaller or whether they are equal.

7 > 4

Seven is greater than four.

3 < 6

Three is less than six.

5 = 5

Both numbers are equal.

Putting Numbers in Order

Numbers can be arranged from smallest to greatest or from greatest to smallest.

2, 5, 7, 9

These numbers are arranged from smallest to greatest.

9, 7, 5, 2

These numbers are arranged from greatest to smallest.

Looking for Number Relationships

We can also look at how numbers are related. For example, when we count by ones, the next number is one more than the current number.

6 → 7 → 8 → 9

Noticing these relationships helps us predict what number may come next.

Common Mistakes

• Do not confuse greater and smaller numbers.
• Check the order carefully before comparing numbers.
• Remember that counting forward makes numbers greater.

Practice

1. Which number is greater: 8 or 5?

2. Which number is smaller: 3 or 7?

3. Put 2, 6 and 4 in order from smallest to greatest.

4. What comes after 9?

Try It Yourself

Choose five numbers between 1 and 20. Arrange them from smallest to greatest and then arrange them from greatest to smallest.

Quick Revision

• Numbers have an order.
• We can compare numbers using greater than, less than and equal to.
• Numbers can be arranged from smallest to greatest.
• Numbers can also be arranged from greatest to smallest.

Next Step

Now that you can think about number order and relationships, the next lesson will show you how to find missing numbers.