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Whole numbers - AQAOrdering whole numbers

Numbers can be written in words. Both positive and negative numbers can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided using rules. These rules must be applied in a specific order.

Part ofMathsNumber

Ordering whole numbers

Click to explore updated revision resources for GCSE Maths: Ordering whole numbers, with step-by-step slideshows, quizzes, practice exam questions, and more!

are used to order whole numbers.

Example

Which of the following four sportspeople earns more in a week?

  • Player A - £310,500
  • Player B - £309,500
  • Player C - £295,500
  • Player D - £315,500

First, put each sportsperson’s salary into a place value table.

Hundred thousandsTen thousandsThousandsHundredsTensUnits
Player A310500
Player B309500
Player C295500
Player D315500
Player A
Hundred thousands3
Ten thousands1
Thousands0
Hundreds5
Tens0
Units0
Player B
Hundred thousands3
Ten thousands0
Thousands9
Hundreds5
Tens0
Units0
Player C
Hundred thousands2
Ten thousands9
Thousands5
Hundreds5
Tens0
Units0
Player D
Hundred thousands3
Ten thousands1
Thousands5
Hundreds5
Tens0
Units0

Next, look at each column in turn from the left:

  • the smallest digit in the hundred thousands column is 2, so Player C earns the lowest amount
  • the smallest digit in the ten thousands column is 0, so Player B earns less than Players A and D
  • the smallest digit in the thousands column is 0, so Player A earns less than Player D

From highest to lowest, the order is:

  1. Player D - £315,500
  2. Player A - £310,500
  3. Player B - £309,500
  4. Player C - £295,500
Sportspeople ranked by descending salary amount

Question

Put the following numbers in order from smallest to largest:

  1. 42,300
  2. 43,290
  3. 42,350
  4. 43,200
  5. 42,250

Inequality symbols

SymbolDefinition
>Greater than - the wider part of the inequality sign faces the larger number.
<Less than - the wider part of the inequality sign faces the larger number.
≥Greater than or equal to - the wider part of the inequality sign faces the larger number.
≤Less than or equal to - the wider part of the inequality sign faces the larger number.
Symbol>
DefinitionGreater than - the wider part of the inequality sign faces the larger number.
Symbol<
DefinitionLess than - the wider part of the inequality sign faces the larger number.
Symbol≥
DefinitionGreater than or equal to - the wider part of the inequality sign faces the larger number.
Symbol≤
DefinitionLess than or equal to - the wider part of the inequality sign faces the larger number.

\(4,000 \textgreater 3,900\) means 4,000 is greater than 3,900.

\(3,900 \textless 4,000\) means 3,900 is less than 4,000.

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Adding and subtracting whole numbers
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Writing whole numbers as words

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