02 · Play
Gator Chomps the Greater Number!
Two numbers will appear. Click the one you think is greater. Watch the alligator turn to chomp your choice — its mouth always ends up pointing at the bigger number!
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Learn how to tell which number is bigger, which is smaller, and how to line up a whole group of numbers in order — with a hungry alligator to help along the way!
When we compare two numbers, we use three special symbols to show which one is bigger, which is smaller, or if they're the same.
Here's an easy way to remember which symbol to use: imagine the symbol is an alligator's open mouth. The alligator is always hungry, so its mouth opens toward the bigger number — because that's the biggest meal! The pointy tail end always points at the smaller number.
Every number is made up of tens and ones — even a number like 7, which just has 0 tens. Comparing values, not just how numbers look, is what tells you which one is greater.
Step 1 — Compare the tens. 15 has 1 ten, and 7 has no tens yet. Since 1 ten is worth more than 0 tens, 15 is greater — no matter what's in the ones place.
Still Step 1 — the tens decide it. 34 has 3 tens and 58 has 5 tens. Since 3 tens is worth less than 5 tens, 34 is less than 58.
Step 2 — Tens tied? Compare the ones. 52 and 57 both have 5 tens, so that's a tie. Move to the ones place: 2 is less than 7, so 52 is less than 57.
Two numbers will appear. Click the one you think is greater. Watch the alligator turn to chomp your choice — its mouth always ends up pointing at the bigger number!
Drag each number into a box, or tap a number and then tap a box, in order from least to greatest. Jump to any level using the tabs — they get trickier as you go!
Drag, or tap a number and then tap a box, from least to greatest.