Greater than, less than or equal? Pick the right sign!
Compare Numbers teaches first graders to use the greater than, less than and equal signs. Kids compare groups and numbers, then find how many more one group has than another. Friendly visuals make the >, < and = signs easy to remember.
Math course · Grade 1
Compare Numbers · Learning goals
Compare groups and numbers using the signs >, < and =. Then find how many more one group has than another.
Why it matters
Greater than, less than and equal to are words kids use in math every year, from comparing numbers to fractions and decimals.
Comparing builds number sense: kids learn that 19 is close to 20 and much bigger than 9.
Finding the difference between two groups is an early form of subtraction that kids use in real life.
Inside Compare Numbers
A short read-aloud lesson first, then hands-on games and a quiz to lock it in.
Step 1 · Lesson
A short read-aloud lesson in 5 steps, with pictures and worked examples.
Step 2 · Game
Compare the groups. Pick <, = or >. (8 problems)
Step 3 · Game
Which number is bigger? Pick <, = or >. (8 problems)
Step 4 · Game
Look at the tens first! Pick <, = or >. (8 problems)
Step 5 · Game
Listen to the story and find how many more. (6 problems)
Lesson preview
This is the real lesson text your child hears, read aloud by a friendly voice.
Which group has more? 5 apples is more than 3 apples.
The signs > and < are like a hungry mouth. The open mouth always eats the bigger number! 8 > 4.
5 < 9 means 5 is less than 9. The mouth opens toward the 9.
When both numbers are the same, use the equal sign. 7 = 7.
For bigger numbers, look at the tens first. 42 > 38 because 4 tens is more than 3 tens.
For parents
Learning sticks best when kids use it in real life. Here are simple ideas from this course.
Take two handfuls of buttons or blocks and ask which has more and how many more. Write the comparison with a > or < sign on a sticky note.
Practice
Real questions from Compare Numbers. Try them with your child, then tap to see the answer.
Question 1
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Question 2
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Question 3
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The full course has 30 questions with instant feedback, stars and rewards. Create a free account to play them all.
Compare Numbers · Questions from parents
Compare Numbers is a grade 1 math course for kids ages 6–7. That is Year 2 maths in the UK and Year 1 in Australia. It also works well for review in the next grade, or as a challenge for a confident younger learner.
Compare groups and numbers using the signs >, < and =. Then find how many more one group has than another. Along the way they practice: More or Fewer?; Compare to 20; Big Numbers; How Many More?.
About 15 minutes in total, split into 4 short levels. Most kids finish it over two or three sessions. Progress is saved, so they can stop any time and pick up where they left off.
Compare Numbers is part of SkillBloom Premium, which unlocks every course in every subject. Each subject also has free courses, so your child can try SkillBloom before you decide.
No. Every lesson has a friendly read-aloud voice, questions are read aloud too, and the pictures help kids follow along. Confident readers can turn the voice off.
Yes. SkillBloom is built for homeschooling families. Kids work through lessons, games and quizzes on their own, and the parent dashboard shows what they finished and which skills need more practice. It works on phones, tablets and laptops.
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