Comparison problems relate two quantities by asking how many more, how many fewer, or whether one amount is greater than, less than, or equal to another; the difference is the amount needed to add to the smaller quantity to reach the larger. These additive relationships can be represented with drawings, bar models, number lines, or equations with an unknown in any position, using numbers within 100 and distinguishing the compared quantities from their difference. Multiplicative comparisons and larger-number generalizations are outside this scope.
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Detailed Explanation: Solve comparison problems
To solve a comparison problem:
- Find the larger amount and the smaller amount.
- Find the difference—the amount needed to add to the smaller amount to reach the larger amount.
- Write an equation and answer with words.
Example:
Mia has 34 stickers. Leo has 27 stickers. How many more stickers does Mia have than Leo?
Mia has the larger amount: .
Leo has the smaller amount: .
Write an equation with the unknown difference:
Count on from to :
So, .
Therefore,
Mia has 7 more stickers than Leo.
Learn by doing: Solve comparison problems
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Practice:
Ten Groups - Subtract, Without Borrow, Less than 30
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Download/Modify Free Grade 2 'Solve comparison problems' Worksheet
Print this free 'Solve comparison problems' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Ten Groups - Subtract, Without Borrow, Less than 30
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Symbol - Tens and Ones
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Words - Tens and Ones
- Compare Two-Digit Numbers to 50
- Graphing - Bar Graph (Single) - Difference of Two
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Alligator - Hundreds and Tens
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Symbol - Ones
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Words - Ones
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Solve comparison problems) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.