Worked example
30 October 2026
When children learn to order three-digit numbers, it helps to break the task into simple steps. Focusing on the value of each digit makes it much easier to spot which numbers are smaller or larger.
Example question
Order these numbers from smallest to largest: 412, 287, 609, 405
First, look at the hundreds digit of each number.
412 has 4 hundreds. 287 has 2 hundreds. 609 has 6 hundreds. 405 has 4 hundreds.
The smallest hundreds digit is 2. So 287 is the smallest number.
Next, compare the numbers with 4 hundreds: 412 and 405. Look at the tens digit.
412 has 1 ten. 405 has 0 tens. 0 is less than 1, so 405 comes before 412.
609 has 6 hundreds, so it is the biggest number.
So, the order from smallest to largest is: 287, 405, 412, 609.
After working through this example, your child will be able to spot the order of three-digit numbers by looking at the hundreds, tens and ones. The next step is to practise more questions just like this, building confidence with each try.
