Year 6 - Maths
Compare numbers with up to eight digits
Order, compare and calculate with numbers up to 8 digits
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will use representations to identify and explain patterns in powers of 10 and read numbers with up to 7 digits efficiently. They will order and compare numbers with up to 8 digits and calculate with numbers of this scale.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how to compare numbers with up to 8-digit numbers.
Key Notes
- The number of digits can help when ordering numbers - usually the more digits, the greater the number.
- When comparing numbers, the greatest value digit that is different determines the greater number.
- The stem sentence: 'the value of the digit in the ___ column is ___' supports us to compare numbers.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Compare: When we compare numbers, we determine whether a number is smaller than, greater than or equal to another according to similarities and differences in their values.
- Inequality: An inequality compares values and is used to show that one number is not equal to another. The symbols < and > are used to indicate less than (<) or more than (>).
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may think that the greater value number is the one that starts with the greater value digit even if the number has fewer digits overall.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
The number of digits can help when ordering numbers - usually the more digits, the greater the number. When comparing numbers, the greatest value digit that is different determines the greater number.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Compare'
When we compare numbers, we determine whether a number is smaller than, greater than or equal to another according to similarities and differences in their values. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Children may think that the greater value number is the one that starts with the greater value digit even if the number has fewer digits overall. Correction: When comparing numbers, compare the value of the digits not the digits themselves. If both numbers have the same amount of digits, so we need to compare the largest place value digit that is different.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Add and subtract mentally without bridging a boundary Study Guide
- Add multiples of powers of 10 crossing the millions boundary Study Guide
- Composition of seven-digit numbers Study Guide
- Determine the value of digits in numbers up to 10 million Study Guide
- Estimate and identify numbers on number lines Study Guide
- Solving problems using column addition and subtraction Study Guide
- Subtract multiples of powers of 10 crossing the millions boundary Study Guide
- Use knowledge of the composition of seven-digit numbers to solve problems Study Guide
- Using patterns in counting sequences Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 6 Maths guide library.