Which numbers are used?

To 10 and 20 for Foundation, to 100 for Year 1 (where numbers go to at least 120), and to 1000 for Year 2.

Why are some pairs so close?

Many pairs differ by a little or share digits, like 47 and 74, so children compare tens before ones instead of guessing.

Are some pairs equal?

Yes, a few in each sheet, so = gets used too.

Comparing Numbers Worksheets: Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To

Place value in action

Comparing two-digit numbers is really a place value question: which has more tens? Pair this page with place value worksheets.

In the Australian Curriculum

FoundationComparing collections to at least 20 by counting, and explaining or showing how you know (AC9MFN03).
Year 1Recognising, representing and ordering numbers to at least 120 (AC9M1N01).
Year 2Ordering and representing numbers to at least 1000.
Year 3Ordering numbers beyond 10 000, which goes past the range of this maker.

The Foundation description is about comparing real collections and explaining your thinking. Before the symbols, have children build both numbers with counters or MAB and say which has more and why. The < and > signs then become a way to record what they found.

In Year 1 the number range goes to at least 120, so once numbers to 100 are secure, write a few pairs like 109 and 112 on the board to stretch the same tens-first thinking.

Summarised in our own words from the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics, Version 9.0 (ACARA).