To be able to compare numbers, kids must be able to understand digits and the place values of those digits. The number 156 has three digits. The first of three digits (1) is in the hundreds place. It explains how many hundreds are in this number, and in this case there is only 1. The second of three digits (5) is in the tens place. It explains how many tens are in this number, and in this case there are 5. The third digit (6) is the ones place, and it explains how many ones are in the number. One 100, five sets of ten and six ones equals 156.
Two-digit numbers only have a tens place and a ones place. When comparing 2-digit numbers, first look at the tens place. The number that has a higher digit in the tens place is the greater, or larger, number. If the two numbers have an equal digit in the tens place, move on to the ones place and do the same thing. The number with the higher digit in the ones place is the greater number. For example, compare 83 and 89. Both numbers have an 8 in the tens place, so move on to the ones. Since 9 is greater than 3, the number 89 is the greater number. .
Comparing 3-digit numbers is done almost exactly the same way as comparing 2-digit numbers. The only difference is that you begin comparing digits in the hundreds place instead of the tens place; however, the same rules above apply. The number that has the larger digit in the hundreds place is the greater number. If those digits are equal you then move on to the digits in the tens place and on to the ones place is necessary. For example, compare 145 and 167. Both numbers have a 1 in the hundreds place , so move on to the tens. Because 6 is greater than 4, then 167 is the greater number.
When comparing two numbers that have more than two or three digits, the first thing to look at is the number of digits in each number. The number that has the greatest amount of digits is the greater number. If the larger numbers have the same amount of digits, start at the left side of the number, and if the digits are equal then work your way to the right. For example, comparing 1,335,667,093 and 3,445,067,040 may seem difficult, but it's actually just as simple as before. The digits furthest to the left are 1 and 3, and because 3 is greater than 1, the number 3,445,067,040 is the greater number.