Fun with Numbers - Comparing and Ordering Numbers

Comparing Digits: A number with more digits is always greater than a number with fewer digits. For example, a $3$-digit number like $120$ is always larger than a $2$-digit number like $99$. Visually, you can imagine a $3$-block tower being much taller than a $2$-block tower.

Place Value Comparison: When comparing two $3$-digit numbers, we first look at the Hundreds place. If the Hundreds digits are the same, we look at the Tens place. If those are also the same, we finally compare the Ones place. It is like looking at a row of three boxes from left to right to find the first difference.

Comparison Symbols: We use specific symbols to show the relationship between numbers. The symbol $>$ stands for 'Greater Than', $<$ stands for 'Less Than', and $=$ stands for 'Equal To'. Think of the symbol as an alligator's mouth that always opens wide to eat the larger number.

Ascending Order: This means arranging numbers from the smallest to the greatest value. Visually, this is like climbing up a staircase, starting from the bottom step (smallest number) and moving to the top step (largest number).

Descending Order: This means arranging numbers from the greatest to the smallest value. Imagine you are at the top of a slide and moving down towards the ground; the numbers get smaller as you go down.

Successor: The successor of a number is the value that comes immediately after it. On a horizontal number line, the successor is one jump to the right of the given number. It is found by adding $1$ to the number.

Predecessor: The predecessor of a number is the value that comes immediately before it. On a horizontal number line, the predecessor is one jump to the left of the given number. It is found by subtracting $1$ from the number.

Forming Numbers: To create the greatest $3$-digit number from three given digits, arrange the digits in descending order (Largest to Smallest). To create the smallest $3$-digit number, arrange them in ascending order (Smallest to Largest), making sure not to put $0$ in the hundreds place.