How to explain compare numbers up to 1,000 in comparing numbers up to 1000 to your child. Example question
30 October 2026
When children learn to compare numbers up to 1,000, it helps them understand which numbers are bigger or smaller. Focusing on hundreds, tens and ones makes it easier to spot the difference between two numbers.
Example question
Compare 528 and 591.
Step 1: Look at the hundreds digit.
528 has 5 hundreds.
591 has 5 hundreds.
They are the same, so move to the tens digit.
Step 2: Look at the tens digit.
528 has 2 tens.
591 has 9 tens.
9 is bigger than 2, so 591 is bigger.
Step 3: No need to check the ones digit, because the tens digit already shows which is bigger.
The correct answer is: 591 > 528.
| Number | Hundreds | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 528 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| 591 | 5 | 9 | 1 |
After working through this example, your child will be able to look at each digit in turn to decide which number is greater. This is a key skill for compare numbers up to 1000 questions, and there are more practice problems ready to help them get confident.
