Comparing Numbers: Greater Than, Less Than, and Equal To!

Math Grades 1st Grade 5:04 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to compare numbers using greater than, less than, and equal to signs. This lesson uses the Khan Academy video to teach you how to identify which number is bigger or smaller.

Video Resource

Greater than and less than symbols | Applying mathematical reasoning | Pre-Algebra | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 5:04
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Equal sign (=) means two quantities are the same.
  • Greater than symbol (>) shows one quantity is larger than another.
  • Less than symbol (<) shows one quantity is smaller than another.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and use the equal sign (=) to show that two quantities are the same.
  • Students will be able to identify and use the greater than symbol (>) to show that one quantity is larger than another.
  • Students will be able to identify and use the less than symbol (<) to show that one quantity is smaller than another.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about comparing numbers. Ask if they know what the equal sign means. Introduce the idea that sometimes things aren't equal, and that's where greater than and less than come in.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Show the Khan Academy video "Greater than and less than symbols | Applying mathematical reasoning | Pre-Algebra | Khan Academy". Pause the video at key points to check for understanding.
  • Symbol Exploration (8 mins)
    Explain the equal sign (=), greater than symbol (>), and less than symbol (<) on the board. Emphasize the visual cues (the 'alligator mouth' eats the bigger number). Practice drawing each symbol together as a class.
  • Comparison Practice (10 mins)
    Write pairs of numbers on the board (e.g., 5 and 2, 10 and 7, 3 and 3). Have students say aloud which number is bigger or if they are equal. Then, have them write the numbers and the correct symbol (> , <, or =) in their notebooks.
  • Real-World Examples (5 mins)
    Ask students for real-world examples where they compare quantities (e.g., "I have more cookies than you do," or "My crayon is shorter than yours.").

Interactive Exercises

  • Number Line Comparisons
    Draw a number line on the board. Point to two numbers and have students say which is greater or less than the other. Repeat with different pairs of numbers.
  • Object Comparison
    Gather a collection of small objects (e.g., blocks, crayons, pencils). Have students compare the number of objects in two groups using the greater than, less than, and equal to symbols.

Discussion Questions

  • What does the equal sign mean?
  • How can you remember which way the greater than and less than symbols go?
  • Can you think of a time you compared two things to see which was bigger or smaller?

Skills Developed

  • Number sense
  • Comparison skills
  • Symbol recognition and usage

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which symbol means 'equal to'?

Correct Answer: =

Question 2:

Which symbol means 'greater than'?

Correct Answer: >

Question 3:

Which symbol means 'less than'?

Correct Answer: <

Question 4:

Which is bigger, 5 or 3?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 5:

Which is smaller, 2 or 7?

Correct Answer: 2

Question 6:

What goes in the blank? 4 ___ 4

Correct Answer: =

Question 7:

What goes in the blank? 6 ___ 2

Correct Answer: >

Question 8:

What goes in the blank? 1 ___ 8

Correct Answer: <

Question 9:

Which number does the alligator want to eat?

Correct Answer: The bigger number

Question 10:

What does it mean when we compare numbers?

Correct Answer: To see if they are the same or different

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The sign ____ means equal to.

Correct Answer: =

Question 2:

The sign ____ means greater than.

Correct Answer: >

Question 3:

The sign ____ means less than.

Correct Answer: <

Question 4:

5 is _____ than 2. (greater/less)

Correct Answer: greater

Question 5:

1 is _____ than 9. (greater/less)

Correct Answer: less

Question 6:

7 _____ 7 (>, <, =)

Correct Answer: =

Question 7:

10 _____ 5 (>, <, =)

Correct Answer: >

Question 8:

3 _____ 6 (>, <, =)

Correct Answer: <

Question 9:

The alligator eats the _____ number. (bigger/smaller)

Correct Answer: bigger

Question 10:

When two numbers are the same, we use the _____ sign. (equal/greater)

Correct Answer: equal

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B.3:Compare two two-digit numbers based on meanings of the tens and ones digits, recording the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, and <. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.D.7:Understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false. For example, which of the following equations are true and which are false? 6 = 6, 7 = 8 - 1, 5 + 2 = 2 + 5, 4 + 1 = 5 + 2.

Teaching Materials

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