Look at two whole numbers that are being compared. Compare the amount of places in each digit. For example, the number 102, has three places versus the number 1002, which has four places, automatically making 1002 greater than 102.
Place the correct symbol between the two digits, depending on how the digits are arranged. For instance, 102 < 1002 or 1002 > 102.
Read the numbers in each place value, from left to right, starting with the greatest place value, if the numbers being compared have the same amount of places. Draw a slash through numbers that are the same per place in each number being compared until finding a different digit to compare.
Compare the different digits to see which is larger and which is smaller. For example, in 345 and 346, the 3 in the hundreds place and the 4 in the tens place do not help compare and solve the problem; however the 5 versus the 6 in the ones place indicates that 345 is less than (<) 346.
Line up decimals vertically by place value underneath each other. Look at each decimal place value and relate the placement of the digits. Decimals with whole numbers (mixed decimals) are always larger than decimals without whole numbers.
Underline the digits in the tenths spot and compare them. If different, write a greater than or less than symbol according to which tenth represents a larger amount.
Continue reading the digits located to the right of the tenths spot, if the same, to equate the decimals or to find a different amount to compare. Write the corresponding symbol to represent the decimal comparison. Decimals that have a digit in the tenths place and zeros to the right of the tenths place can be equivalent to decimals that only have a digit in the tenths place, as in .5 = .50.
Look at the denominators of two fractions. If the denominators are the same (like denominators) compare the numerators to find which is larger or smaller.
Find a common (like) denominator when comparing fractions with unlike denominators. Multiply the numerator and denominator of each fraction by the corresponding factor. For instance, if comparing 3 /4 and 2/6, define the lowest common denominator as 12. Multiply 3/4 by 3 to find 9/12 and multiply 2/6 by 2 to find 4/12.
Compare the two fractions with the common denominators to find that the relationship between the two, as in 9/12 is greater than 4/12, which means that 3/4 > 2/6. Notate the relationship using the appropriate symbol.