Compare Multi-Digit

Grade 4 · mathematics · 100 practice problems · read aloud

🔊 Listen to this explanation

What is Comparing Multi-Digit Numbers? 🤔

Comparing multi-digit numbers means figuring out which number is greater than (>), less than (<), or equal to (=) another number. We use this skill all the time, like when we compare prices at the store or scores in a game!

How to Compare Numbers: Step-by-Step

  1. Line up the numbers by their place values (ones, tens, hundreds, thousands).
  2. Start from the LEFT at the highest place value (like thousands).
  3. Compare the digits in that place value.
  4. If the digits are the same, move one place to the RIGHT and compare those digits.
  5. Keep going until you find digits that are different!

Let's Look at Some Examples

Example 1: Compare 4,381 and 4,291

Step 1: Line them up: 4,381 and 4,291

Step 2: Compare thousands: Both have 4. ✅

Step 3: Move to hundreds: 3 vs. 2. 3 is greater than 2!

Answer: 4,381 > 4,291

Example 2: Compare 7,605 and 7,650

Step 1: Line them up: 7,605 and 7,650

Step 2: Thousands: Both 7. ✅ Hundreds: Both 6. ✅

Step 3: Move to tens: 0 vs. 5. 0 is less than 5!

Answer: 7,605 < 7,650

Common Mistakes to Avoid 🚫

Mistake 1: Comparing from the RIGHT (ones place) instead of the LEFT. The place value on the left is always more important!

Mistake 2: Not lining numbers up correctly. Always make sure the ones, tens, and hundreds places are directly above each other.

Mistake 3: Thinking a number with more digits is always bigger. For example, 999 is less than 1,000 even though 999 has three digits and 1,000 has four!

Tips & Tricks 🎯

Alligator Mouth: The "greater than" symbol (>) looks like an alligator's mouth, and it always wants to eat the bigger number! 50 > 20.

Number Line: Imagine a number line. Numbers get bigger as you go to the right. The number farther to the right is the greater number.

Place Value Chart: Write the numbers in a place value chart to help you line them up perfectly.

How to Practice

  • Use flashcards with numbers like 3,450 and 3,540.
  • Play online math games that involve comparing numbers.
  • Create your own number cards and have a "number war" with a friend!
  • Look for numbers to compare in real life, like page numbers in a book or prices on menus.

Practice problems

6 of the 100, worked through step by step — try them before opening the answer.

1 4,321 > 4,123 ?

  1. A) true
  2. B) false

Hint: Compare the digits from left to right, starting with the highest place value.

Show the answer

Answer: A) true

  1. Write the numbers aligned by place value for easier comparison. 4,321 4,123
  2. Compare digits from left to right. - Both numbers have the same thousands digit: 4 = 4. So we move to the next digit. - Next digit is hundreds place: 4,321 has 3 in the hundreds place. 4,123 has 1 in the hundreds place. Compare: 3 > 1.
  3. Since 3 > 1 in the hundreds place, we already know that 4,321 is greater than 4,123. We don't need to check the tens or ones digits because the hundreds place decides it.
  4. Conclusion 4,321 > 4,123 is true. Final answer: true

Let's compare the two numbers step by step.

2 4,321 > 4,231 ?

  1. A) false
  2. B) true

Hint: Compare the digits from left to right, starting with the highest place value.

Show the answer

Answer: B) true

  1. Write the numbers aligned by place value for easy comparison. 4,321 4,231
  2. Compare digits from left to right. Both numbers have the same thousands digit: 4 = 4. So we move to the next digit.
  3. Compare the hundreds digit. First number: 3 Second number: 2 Since 3 > 2, the first number is already larger.
  4. Conclusion. Because 3 hundreds is greater than 2 hundreds, 4,321 is greater than 4,231. Thus, the statement "4,321 > 4,231" is true.

Let's compare the two numbers step by step.

3 4,256 > 4,265 ?

  1. A) true
  2. B) false

Hint: Compare the digits from left to right, looking for the first place where they differ.

Show the answer

Answer: A) true

When comparing multi-digit numbers, start with the largest place value (thousands, then hundreds, then tens, then ones). The first digit that differs determines which number is greater.

4 4,567 > 4,576 ?

  1. A) true
  2. B) false

Hint: Compare the digits from left to right, looking for the first place where they differ.

Show the answer

Answer: B) false

  1. Write the numbers aligned by place value for easy comparison. 4,567 4,576
  2. Compare digits from left to right. - Thousands place: both have 4 → equal. - Hundreds place: both have 5 → equal. - Tens place: first number has 6, second number has 7.
  3. Since 6 is less than 7 in the tens place, the number 4,567 is less than 4,576.
  4. The statement says: 4,567 > 4,576 That means "4,567 is greater than 4,576" — but we found 4,567 is less than 4,576.
  5. Therefore, the statement is false. Final answer: false

Let's compare the two numbers step by step.

5 4,321 > 4,123 = ?

  1. A) false
  2. B) true

Hint: Compare the digits from left to right, starting with the highest place value.

Show the answer

Answer: B) true

  1. Compare the thousands place. Both numbers have 4 in the thousands place. 4,321 → thousands digit = 4 4,123 → thousands digit = 4 So far, they are equal.
  2. Compare the hundreds place. 4,321 → hundreds digit = 3 4,123 → hundreds digit = 1 Since 3 > 1, the number 4,321 is greater than 4,123.
  3. Conclusion. We don't need to check the tens or ones digits because the hundreds place already decides the comparison. Therefore, 4,321 > 4,123 is true.

Let's compare the two numbers step by step.

6 4,321 > 4,231 = ?

  1. A) true
  2. B) false

Hint: Compare the digits from left to right, starting with the thousands place. If digits are equal, move to the next place value.

Show the answer

Answer: A) true

  1. Write the numbers aligned by place value for comparison. 4,321 4,231
  2. Compare digits from left to right. - Both numbers have the same thousands digit: 4 = 4. So we move to the next digit. - Hundreds digit: First number: 3 Second number: 2 Since 3 > 2, the first number is larger.
  3. Conclusion Because 3 (hundreds place of 4,321) is greater than 2 (hundreds place of 4,231), we don't need to check the tens or ones digits. Thus, 4,321 > 4,231 is true. Final answer: true

Let's compare the two numbers step by step.

Practise this topic — 10 free problems, no signup →