Build your students’ number sense with these interactive task cards!

To play, students will compare sets of whole numbers and note on the coordinating recording sheet the appropriate symbol for each set:

• > (greater than)
• < (less than)
• = (equal to)

How to Play Our Comparing Whole Numbers Activity

This is best used as a math center activity or teaching resource for your guided small group.

If working in pairs, students can practice with each other by saying the correct symbol that applies to each set of numbers.

If students need them, they can refer to their number line as a visual aid.

This resource is set up to make differentiation a breeze! The first 12 task cards work with two-digit numbers while the last 12 task cards have students comparing three-digit numbers. This allows you to have students working on two-digit numbers to only use the first 12 task cards while everyone else can work with all 24!

Expand This Comparing Whole Numbers Activity with More to Play!

Get your group-think on with fun ways to compare & order numbers as a class!

Gallery Walk

Looking for a way to use this resource as a whole class? Mix the cards up and hang them around the room to have your students complete a gallery walk. Working either alone or in pairs, assign a sorting card to each to start, and set your students loose with their recording sheet, stopping once they’ve completed each one.

Group Lesson 

No need to break out the scissors yet with this activity! Using your smartboard or another projection device, present the number sets as a whole sheet so that your students can work through the task cards together as a whole class—recording sheets are optional.

Math Lesson Exit Ticket

Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Have each student pick 3 sets of numbers to compare and write them with the appropriate symbol on a sticky note along with their name for a simplified formative assessment.

Change the Difficulty Level if Needed

For students who are finding this activity challenging, break up the cards by their comparative place values. That way, students are only working with either 2- or 3-digit numbers.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print the Comparing Numbers Task Cards on cardstock for durability and longevity. Cut out the cards and punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring.

To make this game more sustainable, print recording sheets on cardstock and place them in dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a dry-erase marker, then erase and reuse.

Put the task cards, recording sheets, and answer key in a bag or large envelope for your math center.

Before You Download

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

This resource was created by Lauren Blankenship, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter Collaborator.

Why stop there? If you’re looking for more resources for comparing numbers we’ve got tools and activities you’re gonna love:

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Comparing Whole Numbers Worksheet

A set of worksheets to practice comparing whole numbers.

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Greater/Less Than Crocodile Posters

Greater and less than can be easily confused, but Snappy uses visual representation to make it all so much clearer.