Comparing and ordering numbers is a core Grade 3 place-value skill. Students need to understand that a digit’s value depends on its position, then use that understanding to compare numbers, arrange numbers from least to greatest, and solve real-world problems involving quantities.
Use this Grade 3 worksheet for homework, tutoring, small-group reteaching, or a quick classroom review. It includes a short teaching reminder, practice problems, word problems, an answer key, and common mistakes to watch for.
Quick Review: How to Compare Whole Numbers
When comparing numbers, students should not start by looking at every digit at once. Use this order:
- Compare the number of digits. A 4-digit number is greater than a 3-digit number.
- Start at the left. Compare the greatest place value first.
- Move right only if needed. If the thousands digits match, compare hundreds. If hundreds match, compare tens.
- Use the correct symbol. < means less than, > means greater than, and = means equal.
Example: Compare 4,268 and 4,286. The thousands digits are both 4. The hundreds digits are both 2. Compare the tens digits: 6 tens is less than 8 tens, so 4,268 < 4,286.
Part A: Write <, >, or =
- 528 ___ 582
- 1,309 ___ 1,390
- 4,027 ___ 4,027
- 6,814 ___ 6,418
- 930 ___ 1,003
- 7,205 ___ 7,250
- 2,999 ___ 3,000
- 8,640 ___ 8,604
- 5,071 ___ 5,701
- 9,010 ___ 9,001
- 3,333 ___ 3,303
- 4,500 ___ 4,050
Part B: Order the Numbers
Write each set from least to greatest.
- 426, 462, 246, 642
- 1,250, 1,205, 1,520, 1,025
- 7,008, 7,080, 7,800, 7,018
- 3,909, 3,990, 3,099, 3,900
- 840, 804, 408, 480
- 6,321, 6,231, 6,312, 6,213
Part C: Word Problems
19. A library has 2,468 fiction books and 2,486 nonfiction books. Which section has more books?
20. Four students collected cans for recycling. Ana collected 358, Ben collected 385, Cara collected 538, and Devon collected 308. Write the students in order from fewest cans to most cans.
21. A school fundraiser earned $4,075 in Week 1 and $4,705 in Week 2. Which week earned more?
22. The numbers 6,402, 6,420, and 6,240 are written on cards. Which number is greatest?
23. A stadium section has 1,099 seats. Another section has 1,100 seats. Which section has fewer seats?
24. Write a number greater than 5,430 but less than 5,440.
Answer Key
1. 528 < 582. 2. 1,309 < 1,390. 3. 4,027 = 4,027. 4. 6,814 > 6,418. 5. 930 < 1,003. 6. 7,205 < 7,250. 7. 2,999 < 3,000. 8. 8,640 > 8,604. 9. 5,071 < 5,701. 10. 9,010 > 9,001. 11. 3,333 > 3,303. 12. 4,500 > 4,050.
13. 246, 426, 462, 642. 14. 1,025, 1,205, 1,250, 1,520. 15. 7,008, 7,018, 7,080, 7,800. 16. 3,099, 3,900, 3,909, 3,990. 17. 408, 480, 804, 840. 18. 6,213, 6,231, 6,312, 6,321.
19. Nonfiction has more books because 2,486 > 2,468. 20. Devon, Ana, Ben, Cara. 21. Week 2 earned more because 4,705 > 4,075. 22. 6,420 is greatest. 23. The section with 1,099 seats has fewer seats. 24. Any whole number from 5,431 through 5,439 is correct.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Comparing Digits Instead of Place Value
A student may say 930 is greater than 1,003 because 9 is greater than 1. Reteach by first counting digits: any 4-digit number is greater than any 3-digit number.
Mistake 2: Reading Left to Right Too Fast
Students sometimes compare 7,205 and 7,250 and stop at the hundreds place, where both have 2. Train them to keep moving right until the first different digit.
Mistake 3: Confusing Least to Greatest with Greatest to Least
Before ordering, have students mark the smallest number with an S and the largest number with an L. This simple label prevents many reversed lists.
Small-Group Reteach Routine
If a student misses several problems, use base-ten language aloud. For example, say, “4,268 has 4 thousands, 2 hundreds, 6 tens, and 8 ones.” Then compare place by place. If students still struggle, write numbers in a place-value chart with columns for thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.
For extra practice, ask students to create their own comparison pairs. One partner writes two numbers, and the other partner must compare them and explain which place decided the answer.
Extension Activity
Give students four digit cards, such as 2, 5, 7, and 9. Ask them to build the greatest possible 4-digit number, the least possible 4-digit number, and two numbers in between. Then have them order all four numbers from least to greatest. This activity forces students to think about place value before using comparison symbols.
For an extra challenge, ask them to explain which digit mattered most in each comparison. Students can also trade numbers with a partner and check whether both lists are ordered the same way.
ViewMath Grade 3 Resources
ViewMath Grade 3 books include place value, operations, fractions, measurement, geometry, data, and state-test review. Browse the Grade 3 collection at viewmath.com/books/grade-3-math/.
