Comparison of two-digit whole numbers is based on place value: compare the tens digits first, and compare the ones digits only when the tens are equal. The relationship can be expressed as greater than, less than, or equal to using symbols, words, place-value representations, or a number line; this includes numbers from 10 through 99 and excludes comparisons involving larger place values.
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Detailed Explanation: Compare two-digit numbers
To compare two-digit numbers, look at the tens digit first.
- Compare the tens digits.
- If the tens digits are different, the number with more tens is greater.
- If the tens digits are the same, compare the ones digits.
- Write for greater than, for less than, or for equal to.
Example: Compare and .
- Both numbers have tens, so the tens digits are equal.
- Compare the ones digits: ones is greater than ones.
- Therefore, is greater than .
So, is greater than .
Learn by doing: Compare two-digit numbers
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Compare Two-Digit Numbers to 100
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Download/Modify Free Grade 2 'Compare two-digit numbers' Worksheet
Print this free 'Compare two-digit numbers' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Compare Two-Digit Numbers to 100
- Compare Two-Digit Numbers to 50
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Alligator - Tens and Ones
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Symbol - Tens and Ones
- Compare One- or Two-Digit Numbers to 20
- Compare Numbers to 10
- Base 10 Blocks - Counting - Picture to Number - Tens and Ones
- Base 10 Blocks - Counting - Number to Picture, Tens and Ones
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Compare two-digit numbers) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.