Skill: Compare lengths directly

To compare two lengths directly, place the objects side by side. Line up one end of both objects. Then look at the other ends.

Example: Which ribbon is longer?

1. Put the red ribbon and the blue ribbon together.
2. Line up their left ends.
3. Look at the right ends. The red ribbon reaches farther than the blue ribbon.
4. So, the red ribbon is longer.

If the red ribbon is $8$ paper clips long and the blue ribbon is $6$ paper clips long, both measured with the same-size paper clips, then

$$8 > 6$$

The red ribbon is longer by $2$ paper clips.