Year 2 children compare and order numbers up to 100. The secret is to look at the tens first — only if the tens are the same do you need to compare the ones.
What your child will learn
- Compare two-digit numbers using tens and ones
- Order sets of numbers from smallest to largest
- Use <, > and = correctly in number sentences
Tens first
63 is bigger than 36 because it has 6 tens instead of 3 — even though both use the same digits. Balance Bridge includes these swapped-digit pairs to strengthen place-value thinking.
Reading the signs
Read number sentences aloud from left to right: 45 < 54 is "45 is less than 54". If the two sides are equal, use =.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Which number is smaller: 17 or 28?
- 17
- 28
Show answer
Answer: 17. 28 is bigger than 17. Compare the tens first.
2. True or false? 31 is bigger than 13.
Show answer
Answer: True. 31 is bigger than 13. Compare the tens first.
3. Which number is smaller: 19 or 46?
- 19
- 46
Show answer
Answer: 19. 46 is bigger than 19. Compare the tens first.
Tips for grown-ups
- Compare prices at the shop: which costs more?
- Deal two cards to make two-digit numbers and compare them.
- Order family members’ ages, house numbers or scores in a game.