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E.1 Ordering numbers up to 1,000

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What does it mean to order numbers?

Ordering numbers means arranging numbers from least to greatest or from greatest to least. It helps us compare values and understand number size up to 1,000.

Examples:
  • Least to greatest: 245, 367, 482
  • Greatest to least: 910, 672, 435
Note

When we order numbers, we compare their place values: hundreds, tens, and ones.

How to identify which number is greater or smaller

To find out which number is greater or smaller, compare the digits starting from the left: hundreds first, then tens, then ones.

Steps:
  • Compare the hundreds place: 638 vs. 472 → 638 is greater because 6 hundreds is more than 4 hundreds.
  • If the hundreds are the same, compare the tens place.
  • If both hundreds and tens are the same, compare the ones place.
Note

Always start comparing with the greatest place value (hundreds) before moving to smaller place values.

Examples of ordering numbers

When ordering three or more numbers, compare them one step at a time until they are all in order.

Examples:
  • Order from least to greatest: 512, 299, 784 → 299, 512, 784
  • Order from greatest to least: 940, 256, 715 → 940, 715, 256
Note

Writing numbers in order helps with comparing, adding, and subtracting later.

Using number lines to order numbers

A number line is a visual tool that shows numbers in order. Numbers to the left are smaller, and numbers to the right are greater.

Examples:
  • On a number line from 200 to 300, the number 245 comes before 278, so 245 is smaller.
  • On a number line from 500 to 600, the number 589 comes after 542, so 589 is greater.
Note

Number lines make it easier to see the order of numbers without comparing digits one by one.