Ordering numbers
To order numbers, you need to understand the place value of each digit.
Starting with smallest value digits on the right, going up in value to the left.
You can then see not just which number is larger, but which part of the number is larger.
Activity: Ordering numbers to 100,000
Complete this interactive activity to learn more about numbers to 100,000 and then put your knowledge to the test.
Representing and ordering numbers
Large numbers can be represented in different ways.
The values of digits in a number go from the smallest on the right, to the largest on the left.
Take a look at these two numbers. Can you see how the first digit, the tens of thousands value, is the same in both numbers?
However, the value of the second digit is greater (it represents 5 thousands rather than 3 thousands), so you can say that 25,121 is greater than 23,487.
Large numbers can become difficult to read, so people often put a comma to the left of the hundreds column, to separate the thousands from the rest of the number.
You can also represent and order numbers by using place value charts.
Image caption, Here is a place value chart for a five digit number.
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Knowing place value can help you to work out which of two numbers is greater.
Follow these steps to use a place value chart:
Start with the largest place value column on the left and compare the digits.
Then if they are the same, look at the next column to the right of it.
Sometimes you won't get as far as the hundreds, tens or ones, before finding the larger number.
Example 1
You can use counters in a place value chart to represent numbers.
What number does this chart show?
✓ It represents 35,214.
You have 35 thousands, 2 hundreds, 1 ten and 4 ones.
You can also write this number as 'thirty-five thousand two hundred and fourteen'.
Example 2
Which column of the place value chart should you start with to find the greater number? And, which of these two numbers is greater?
✓ You need to look at the column on the far left first.
When you compare these numbers you can see both numbers have 8 in the ten thousands place.
86,217 has 6 in the thousands place and 85,698 has 5 in the thousands place.
So, the number with the 6 in the thousands place is greater.
You don't need to look at the other columns to find out which number is greater.
Example 3
How can you work out which of these numbers is greatest?
✓ You have to look at the tens column to find out which number is greater.
Both numbers have the digit 1 in the ten thousand column, the digit 5 in the thousand column, and the digit 2 in the hundreds.
This means you have to move on to look at the tens column where the values are not equal.
The greater number is 15,251.
Play our fun maths game Guardians: Defenders of Mathematica. game
Use your times tables and more maths skills to defeat monsters and reclaim the Kingdom of Mathematica
More on Place value
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