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🔢 1st grade math · Counting & Numbers

Compare two-digit numbers

Compare the tens first. If the tens match, compare the ones.

Worked example

Pick the one that is true: 95 is ______ 44.
Answer: greater than
Compare the tens first: 9 tens and 4 tens. 9 tens is more. So 95 is greater than 44.

For grown-ups: Compare two-digit numbers (>, =, <). Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 1.NBT.B.3
What this practises, for teachers

Practices compare two-digit numbers (>, =, <) (1.NBT.B.3). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

▶ Practise it

For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

Try three

  1. Pick the one that is true: 54 is ______ 48.
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: greater than
    Compare the tens first: 5 tens and 4 tens. 5 tens is more. So 54 is greater than 48.
  2. Pick the one that is true: 72 is ______ 77.
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: less than
    The tens match (7 tens), so compare the ones: 2 and 7. So 72 is less than 77.
  3. Pick the one that is true: 89 is ______ 86.
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: greater than
    The tens match (8 tens), so compare the ones: 9 and 6. So 89 is greater than 86.

Before and after

Learn first: Tens and ones (1st)

Comes next: Hundreds, tens and ones (2nd)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Compare two-digit numbers (1st grade)

  1. Pick the one that is true: 65 is ______ 89.
  2. Pick the one that is true: 60 is ______ 94.
  3. Pick the one that is true: 33 is ______ 26.
  4. Pick the one that is true: 35 is ______ 89.
  5. Pick the one that is true: 93 is ______ 93.
  6. Pick the one that is true: 37 is ______ 34.
  7. Pick the one that is true: 39 is ______ 32.
  8. Pick the one that is true: 34 is ______ 30.
  9. Pick the one that is true: 29 is ______ 29.
  10. Pick the one that is true: 37 is ______ 37.
  11. Pick the one that is true: 28 is ______ 25.
  12. Pick the one that is true: 70 is ______ 75.

Answer key

  1. less than
  2. less than
  3. greater than
  4. less than
  5. equal to
  6. greater than
  7. greater than
  8. greater than
  9. equal to
  10. equal to
  11. greater than
  12. less than

More 1st grade skills: all 1st grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.