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B.2 Identify the greatest and least numbers

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What does greatest and least mean?

Greatest means the largest number in a group.
Least means the smallest number in a group.

Examples:
  • In 432, 215, and 987, the greatest number is 987.
  • In 432, 215, and 987, the least number is 215.
Note

The greatest number has the most value, and the least number has the smallest value.

Understanding place value

Place value tells us how much each digit is worth based on where it is in the number. We can look at the digits in the ten thousands, thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones places.

Example:
  • In the number 7,345, the digit 7 is in the thousands place and means 7,000.
  • In the number 7,345, the digit 3 is in the hundreds place and means 300.
Note

When comparing numbers, always start by looking at the digit in the highest place value first.

How to compare numbers

To compare numbers, look at each place value from left to right. The number with the larger digit in the first different place is the greater number.

Steps:
  • Compare 6,532 and 6,289.
  • Both have 6 in the thousands place.
  • Compare the hundreds place: 5 is greater than 2.
  • So, 6,532 is greater than 6,289.
Note

You only need to find the first place where the digits are different to decide which number is greater or least.

Finding the greatest and least in a group

To find the greatest and least numbers in a group, compare all the numbers using their place values.

Example:
  • Numbers: 4,567 • 2,345 • 9,876 • 4,890
  • Greatest number: 9,876
  • Least number: 2,345
Note

You can write the numbers in order from least to greatest to help find which is smallest and which is largest.

Using number lines to compare

A number line shows numbers in order from least to greatest. Numbers on the left are smaller, and numbers on the right are larger.

Example:
  • On a number line, 3,450 comes before (is less than) 3,780.
  • So, 3,450 is the least number, and 3,780 is greater.
Note

Number lines help you see the order of numbers quickly and clearly.